Bangladesh NSA Visits India Amid Lalmonirhat Airbase Tensions

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman, a close aide of interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, arrived in India this week to participate in the 7th Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi. The visit, one of the most significant from Dhaka since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, underscores the delicate balance of regional diplomacy amid strategic concerns.

Rahman’s visit comes after his arrival a day ahead of the conclave, a forum aimed at strengthening security cooperation among Indian Ocean nations. The CSC, which welcomed Bangladesh as its fifth member in 2024, brings together NSAs from India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with Seychelles as an observer and Malaysia as a guest. The two-day meeting will focus on maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber threats, combating transnational crime, and humanitarian assistance.

Delhi extended the invitation to Rahman, signaling an intent to maintain dialogue with Bangladesh despite rising tensions. Observers note that Bangladesh’s growing ties with Pakistan, including visits from top Pakistani military officials, have contributed to India’s strategic apprehension.

Particularly concerning for India is Bangladesh’s recent plan to revive the Lalmonirhat airbase, located just 20 kilometres from India’s West Bengal border near Cooch Behar. The airbase’s proximity to the Siliguri Corridor – also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” a narrow and strategically vital stretch linking India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country – has raised security alarms. Analysts warn that any military development in Lalmonirhat could affect India’s defense posture in the region, especially given past statements from Dhaka’s top leadership that Delhi considers provocative.

The CSC meeting provides a crucial opportunity for India and Bangladesh to address broader regional security concerns while strengthening cooperation on issues such as maritime safety, countering terrorism and radicalization, cybersecurity, and disaster relief. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the conclave will also review progress under various pillars of collaboration and outline the roadmap and action plan for 2026.

While Bangladesh’s strategic choices have been viewed warily in New Delhi, the participation of Rahman in the CSC reflects ongoing efforts to maintain dialogue and regional cooperation. Experts say that balancing diplomacy with security concerns remains vital for both nations, particularly in light of evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.

The visit also comes in the context of the continuing exile of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Delhi following her death sentence, adding a layer of political complexity to bilateral ties. Analysts believe that how Bangladesh navigates its relationships with India, Pakistan, and other regional partners will be closely monitored in the coming months, especially given the strategic implications of developments like the Lalmonirhat airbase.

As the 7th CSC meeting unfolds in New Delhi, all eyes will be on discussions aimed at enhancing regional security, fostering trust, and ensuring that strategic and defense concerns are managed through diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation.