In recent months, commentary from sections of Indian media and policy circles has described Chittagong Port—Bangladesh’s principal maritime hub—as a potential strategic threat to India’s eastern frontier. Such views reflect a shift in perception, from cooperation to suspicion, and risk mischaracterizing Bangladesh’s sovereign decisions while overlooking the wider regional interest in stability and partnership.
Chittagong Port is central to Bangladesh’s economy. It handles over 90 percent of the country’s trade and plays a vital role in modernization, connectivity, and development. Activities such as joint military exercises, humanitarian drills, and naval goodwill visits by foreign countries are part of standard international engagement. These do not amount to militarization or foreign control, and they do not compromise Bangladesh’s sovereignty. India itself hosts similar engagements, and applying a different standard to Bangladesh risks creating unnecessary distrust.
Concerns raised about the port’s proximity to India’s Siliguri Corridor also merit perspective. Geography should encourage cooperation, not confrontation. Bangladesh has consistently supported India’s security concerns, facilitated cross-border trade, and maintained stable borders. Viewing Chittagong as a vulnerability overlooks the record of cooperation between the two countries. Bangladesh does not host foreign bases, does not allow permanent deployments, and retains full control over its strategic assets.
The political transition in Bangladesh following the change of government in August 2024 has added to regional uncertainty. However, the formation of the interim administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is a domestic development shaped by civic and democratic processes. Suggesting that this transition automatically invites foreign interference underestimates the resilience of Bangladesh’s institutions and its independent foreign policy.
Recent commentary in India portraying Chittagong Port as a forward base for great power competition risks fueling misunderstanding. Statements from political figures advocating extreme measures, such as capturing the port, are speculative and counterproductive. Media narratives that exaggerate routine developments may further strain relations that have already been tested by disputes over trade, water-sharing, and political differences.
India and Bangladesh share deep historical, cultural, and social ties. Both countries stand to benefit more from cooperation than confrontation. Chittagong Port can be seen not as a strategic challenge but as an opportunity for enhanced maritime cooperation, disaster preparedness, and regional integration across the Bay of Bengal. Respect for sovereignty, mutual trust, and constructive dialogue remain the best path forward.
For India, treating Bangladesh’s sovereign choices with respect will strengthen a partnership that has long been valuable. For Bangladesh, Chittagong Port remains a symbol of sovereignty, development, and global engagement. Approaching it as a point of collaboration rather than conflict will serve the long-term interests of both nations and the region as a whole.
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*Professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Dhaka; Director General, International Mother Language Institute
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