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Dec 24, 2025
Myind Staff

Pentagon report flags China’s dual-track strategy of expanding military ties with Pakistan and reducing friction along LAC

A recent Pentagon report submitted to the United States Congress has highlighted China’s evolving strategy in South Asia, pointing to a cautious easing of tensions with India while simultaneously deepening its military cooperation with Pakistan. The report describes this approach as a dual-track strategy, aimed at reducing friction along the India-China border while strengthening defence ties with Islamabad. According to the report, China has taken steps to lower tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India, even as it continues to expand military support to Pakistan. “China appears to be pursuing reduced tensions with India along the LAC while continuing to strengthen its long-standing military partnership with Pakistan,” the report stated. On developments along the LAC, the report noted that in October 2024, Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from the remaining standoff points along the border. This announcement came just two days before a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The Pentagon report said that the Xi-Modi meeting marked the beginning of regular high-level interactions between the two countries. “The meeting initiated monthly high-level engagements between India and China,” the report said. During these engagements, both sides discussed issues related to border management and explored possible next steps to stabilise the bilateral relationship. As part of these discussions, the two countries also talked about confidence-building measures, including the resumption of direct flights, easing visa processes, and increasing exchanges between academics and journalists. The report noted that China is seeking to take advantage of reduced tensions along the LAC to stabilise relations with India and limit the possibility of closer India–US ties. However, the report made it clear that India is unlikely to fully trust China’s intentions. “India is likely to remain sceptical of China’s actions,” the report said, adding that long-standing issues and mutual distrust are expected to continue to restrict the scope of the relationship. According to the Pentagon, these unresolved concerns are “almost certain to limit deeper bilateral cooperation.” At the same time, the report drew attention to China’s steadily expanding military relationship with Pakistan. It stated that Beijing has continued to supply Islamabad with advanced military platforms over the past decade. These include naval frigates, with four delivered in the last ten years, as well as combat aircraft and unmanned systems. The report outlined China’s current offerings in the global combat aircraft market, noting that it promotes three main platforms for export. These include the fifth-generation FC-31, the fourth-generation J-10C multirole fighter, and the jointly developed China–Pakistan JF-17 light combat aircraft. As of May 2025, China had delivered 20 J-10C fighter jets to Pakistan. The report pointed out that Pakistan is the only country to receive this aircraft type from China so far. These deliveries were made under two separate orders placed since 2020, which together total 36 aircraft. “These deliveries represent China’s only exports of the J-10C to date,” the report stated. In addition to fighter jets, China has also supplied Pakistan with strike-capable unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Caihong and Wing Loong series. The report noted that China has exported these same UAV platforms to several other countries, such as Algeria, Iraq and Myanmar. Looking ahead, the Pentagon report suggested that China is likely to further expand its presence in the global defence export market. “During the next five years, China will probably grow its naval export market,” the report said. It added that China’s current naval export customers already include Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand. Overall, the report paints a picture of a carefully balanced Chinese strategy in the region—seeking limited stability with India while reinforcing military cooperation with Pakistan. While tensions along the LAC may have eased for now, the report cautioned that deep-rooted mistrust and strategic competition will continue to shape China’s relationships with both neighbours in the years ahead.

Dec 23, 2025
Myind Staff

India-Bangladesh relations hit a new low: Protests intensify, visa services suspended

Relations between India and Bangladesh are now deeply strained following ongoing unrest and political tension in Bangladesh. What began as protests over the death of a youth leader has now spilt into diplomatic actions that affect people on both sides of the border. Tensions escalated sharply after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, and the situation has triggered strong reactions both within Bangladesh and internationally. The unrest has led to violence, diplomatic disagreements, and a wave of protests. The Bangladesh government has taken the rare step of suspending visa services for Indian nationals at several locations in India. India, in turn, expressed concerns about safety, minority rights, and security around diplomatic missions. In the midst of this diplomatic crisis, the United States called Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, in an effort to discuss the deteriorating situation and the road ahead. The United States has expressed concern about the growing unrest in Bangladesh, especially its impact on regional stability and India-Bangladesh relations. In a notable diplomatic step, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor, spoke with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus by phone. According to the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, the call lasted about half an hour. During this conversation, Yunus reiterated his government’s commitment to holding general elections on February 12, which he described as a way for the country to “reclaim voting rights allegedly denied under the previous regime.” The Bureau said the call also covered “recent events” in Bangladesh. In a post shared by the US Bureau on X (formerly Twitter), they wrote: “Today, Special Envoy for SCA Ambassador Sergio Gor held a productive call with Chief Advisor Yunus @ChiefAdviserGoB to discuss recent events in Bangladesh and shared US interests to advance prosperity through trade.” In response to massive protests near its diplomatic missions, the Bangladesh government temporarily suspended all consular and visa services in India. This includes visa operations at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and at missions located in Tripura and Siliguri. This decision was taken “due to unavoidable circumstances,” according to official notices posted by Bangladesh missions. The suspensions came after protests were held outside these diplomatic offices, which raised concerns about safety and security. Bangladesh’s move followed a similar action by India, which had earlier suspended visa services at its mission in Chittagong, after protesters attempted to enter the compound. Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus announced that despite the volatile situation, the interim Bangladeshi government remains committed to holding a “free, fair and peaceful” general election in about 50 days. Yunus said this election is essential for restoring democratic legitimacy after months of political instability. However, Yunus also warned that forces linked to the ousted Awami League government were trying to sabotage the electoral process. He claimed that supporters of the party, which lost power earlier this year, were spending millions in an attempt to disrupt the election and spread unrest. He also suggested that a fugitive leader was inciting violence from abroad. One of the protest organisations, Inqilab Moncho, led by the slain leader Sharif Osman Hadi, issued a strong statement in response to his death. The group gave the interim government a 24-hour ultimatum demanding justice for Hadi. Inqilab Moncho demanded a speedy trial tribunal, called for the involvement of international investigation agencies like the FBI and Scotland Yard, and held the home and law advisers responsible for failing to identify the culprits behind Hadi’s killing. Leaders of the group also accused intelligence agencies of incompetence and suggested that some individuals loyal to the former regime were still embedded in security forces. Tensions deepened after another key figure from the student-led uprising, Motaleb Shikder, was shot in the head in Khulna, a major city in Bangladesh. This incident occurred just days after Hadi’s killing. While police have started a manhunt, they have not yet identified suspects or motives. The attack has intensified concerns that political violence has spread and that those affiliated with the opposition are being targeted. With multiple leaders associated with last year’s protests now wounded or killed, many people are worried about whether the interim government can ensure safety and stability as the country approaches its elections. Amid the unrest in Bangladesh, India has also voiced serious concerns about the safety of minorities and diplomatic staff. The Indian government summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to express its worries. India pointed to rising extremist threats near diplomatic missions and growing violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. New Delhi rejected claims that there had been major “security breaches” at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, saying that protests in the area were “brief and controlled.” India also urged Bangladesh to ensure justice in the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a young Hindu man who was lynched in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it was closely watching the situation to protect minority rights. As tensions continue, Bangladesh’s interim government suggested it might review or scale back its diplomatic presence in India. In response to media reports that described the protests outside the High Commission in Delhi, M. Touhid Hossain, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, strongly rejected Indian media narratives about the protests. He said they presented a complex situation as if it were simple. He also stressed that Bangladesh would consider diplomatic options if conflicts persisted, indicating that bilateral ties might be affected further. Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile in India, criticised Muhammad Yunus and his government for the unrest in Bangladesh. Hasina said the interim government had emboldened extremists, failed to protect minorities, and damaged ties with India. Hasina also accused radical groups of taking advantage of Yunus’s leadership to reshape Bangladesh’s foreign policy without democratic support. She suggested that relations with India would only improve once “legitimate governance” was restored in Bangladesh, signalling a clear political divide between the current interim leadership and the former Awami League government. Visuals from outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi showed Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists clashing with security personnel. According to reports, protesters attempted to break through police barricades to reach the building. Security forces, including police and paramilitary personnel, had put in place multi-layered security arrangements to prevent any breach of the diplomatic premises. Despite these measures, protesters managed to push against barricades, leading to tense moments and scuffles. As the crowd surged forward, demonstrators raised slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” “Yunus Sarkar Hosh Mein Aao,” and “Hindu Hatiya Band Karo,” according to ANI. The situation was eventually brought under control by security forces, and no major breach of the High Commission compound was reported. The situation has created one of the most serious diplomatic strains in recent years between India and Bangladesh. Both domestic politics and public protests have influenced foreign policy decisions. The suspension of visa services interrupts travel and migration that involves students, workers, tourists, and families who cross the border regularly. The coming weeks will be crucial for how both countries manage these tensions, especially with Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for February 12 amid continued calls for justice from protest groups.