India‍‍`s Army Chief speaks out on tensions with Bangladesh, calls for unity

In light of the recent tensions between India and Bangladesh, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi spoke openly about the ongoing situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good relations between the two neighboring countries.

In a conversation with reporters on January 12, during the celebrations for India’s Army Day, General Dwivedi explained that India and Bangladesh have maintained close military coordination, especially through consistent communication with Bangladesh’s Army Chief. 

He mentioned that the two countries held a video conference back in November to discuss military matters, and this coordination continues to be strong.

Responding to questions about the current situation with Bangladesh, General Dwivedi said, “Bangladesh is our neighbor. 

Except for a small part, India shares a border with the entire country. We must always stay together and understand each other. We should avoid doing anything that negatively impacts our relationship.”

He also pointed to a recent statement by Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, who acknowledged that India is strategically important for Bangladesh, just as Bangladesh holds strategic importance for India. 

General Dwivedi agreed with this perspective, stating, “We are neighbors, and we must stay together. It is important to understand that any display of hostility will not benefit either side.”

Regarding military cooperation, General Dwivedi explained that joint military exercises between the two countries had been temporarily paused due to the current situation. However, he reassured that these exercises would resume once the situation improves. 

"Our relationship with Bangladesh is strong, and we are confident it will continue to stay that way," he added.

The remarks come amid rising tensions, but the Indian Army Chief’s comments underline the need for continued dialogue and mutual understanding between the two nations.