National security adviser Ajit Doval holds talks with Bangladeshi counterpart on bilateral issues

By_shalini oraon

/ the recent talks between National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and his Bangladeshi counterpart.

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The Silent Symphony: How Doval’s Dhaka Dialogue Composes the Future of India-Bangladesh Ties

In the high-stakes theatre of international diplomacy, high-profile summits and presidential visits often grab the headlines. But it is often in the quiet, closed-door meetings between strategic architects that the real groundwork for the future is laid. The recent talks between India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Major General (Retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, in Dhaka represent precisely such a pivotal moment. More than a routine diplomatic engagement, this meeting was a silent symphony orchestrating the complex and crucial relationship between two neighbours at a time of significant regional and global churn.

The role of an NSA, particularly in the Indian context, transcends traditional foreign policy. They are the prime minister’s chief advisor on strategic matters, integrating intelligence, defence, foreign policy, and internal security into a cohesive national security strategy. When NSAs meet, especially between neighbouring countries, the agenda is inherently broad, candid, and forward-looking. The Doval-Siddique dialogue, therefore, was not about signing a specific agreement but about aligning strategic compasses.

The Bedrock of the Relationship: Acknowledging a Golden Chapter

Any analysis of the present must first acknowledge the recent past. The current partnership between India and Bangladesh is often described as its “golden chapter,” a significant departure from a more complicated historical legacy. This transformation has been built on a foundation of mutual economic and security interests. For Bangladesh, India has been a critical development partner, a source of crucial lines of credit, and a key market for its burgeoning manufacturing exports. For India, Bangladesh is a vital strategic partner in its “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies, a linchpin for the stability and connectivity of its northeastern states, and a crucial ally in countering transnational threats.

The meeting between the two NSAs served, first and foremost, to reaffirm this positive trajectory. In an era where diplomatic relationships can be swayed by misinformation and political headwinds, such high-level reassurance is invaluable. It signals a mutual commitment to insulate the broader strategic partnership from the occasional friction that is inevitable between two sovereign nations.

The Core Agenda: Security, Connectivity, and Shared Rivers

While the official readouts were, as is customary, broad and positive, the likely agenda items reveal the depth and breadth of the partnership.

1. Security and Counter-Terrorism: This remains the non-negotiable core of the strategic dialogue. Both nations face threats from extremist ideologies and transnational terrorist networks. The conversation would have involved intelligence sharing, coordination between border and security forces, and strategies to counter radicalization. For India, Bangladesh’s cooperation in denying sanctuary and support to insurgent groups from the Northeast has been a game-changer for regional stability. This partnership is a continuous process requiring constant fine-tuning, which is a primary task for the NSAs.
2. The Teesta River Impasse: No high-level discussion between the two countries is complete without the shadow of the Teesta river water-sharing agreement. While NSAs do not negotiate treaties, they provide the strategic direction and political will to break bureaucratic logjams. Doval and Siddique certainly discussed pathways to resolve this long-pending issue, which has become a symbol of the relationship’s unfulfilled potential. Their discussion likely focused on building trust and creating a favourable political environment for technocrats to finalize a fair and equitable deal.
3. Regional Connectivity and Economic Integration: The geography of South Asia is being rewritten through connectivity projects, and India-Bangladesh cooperation is at its heart. The operationalization of the Maitri Setu bridge, the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports for Indian cargo, and the ongoing talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were undoubtedly high on the agenda. For India, this enhances the economic integration of its landlocked northeastern states. For Bangladesh, it positions the nation as a regional logistics and transit hub, boosting its economy and strategic importance.
4. The Rohingya Crisis: The protracted Rohingya refugee crisis poses a significant security and humanitarian challenge for Bangladesh. India, while providing humanitarian aid, has a vested interest in the stability of the region and the prevention of the crisis from becoming a breeding ground for radicalism. The NSAs would have coordinated their positions, with India likely reiterating its support for the safe, speedy, and sustainable repatriation of the displaced people to Myanmar.

The Geopolitical Canvas: Navigating a Multipolar World

The meeting cannot be viewed in a bilateral vacuum. It is set against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive China and its deepening economic footprint in Bangladesh through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While Bangladesh has skillfully maintained a balanced foreign policy, its strategic proximity to China is a matter of core interest for Indian security planners.

From India’s perspective, a strong relationship with Dhaka is a key pillar of its strategy to counterbalance Chinese influence in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indian Ocean Region. For Bangladesh, its relationship with India provides it with strategic autonomy and leverage in its engagements with Beijing. The Doval-Siddique dialogue was, therefore, a crucial exercise in ensuring that the India-Bangladesh partnership remains the primary axis in the region, capable of withstanding the pull of external powers.

The Personal Equation: The Doval-Siddique Channel

The significance of this meeting is amplified by the individuals involved. Ajit Doval is one of India’s most influential and trusted strategic minds, with a deep understanding of the subcontinent’s security dynamics. Major General Siddique is a key confidant of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, advising her on security and political affairs. The “Doval-Siddique channel” has, over the years, proven to be a resilient and effective backchannel, capable of cutting through bureaucratic red tape and addressing sensitive issues with discretion. This personal rapport adds a layer of trust and efficiency to the bilateral dialogue that formal diplomatic channels often lack.

Conclusion: An Investment in a Shared Destiny

The talks between NSAs Doval and Siddique were not about immediate, tangible outcomes but about strategic foresight. They were an investment in the future of a relationship that is too important to be left to chance or to be derailed by minor disputes. By discussing everything from border security to river waters and regional geopolitics, the two advisers were effectively future-proofing the partnership.

As Bangladesh approaches its next general election and India its own in 2024, ensuring continuity in this strategic alignment is paramount. This meeting served to solidify the gains of the last decade and chart a course for a partnership that is not just transactional but transformational. In the silent, determined diplomacy of its national security advisers, India and Bangladesh have composed a powerful symphony—one that promises stability, prosperity, and a shared destiny in a turbulent world.