Bangladesh Army chief bats for balance in ties with India
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, emphasised the importance of maintaining balanced and equitable relations with India, calling it an «important neighbour» in an interview with Bangladesh's highest circulated daily Prothom Alo.
ET Year-end Special Reads
2024 Rewind: Elections, extreme weather, sporting glories, moments that made history, and heartfelt goodbyes
Sensex & Nifty in 2025: Predictions, targets, must-have stocks for the new year
From Adani bribery allegations to PayTM Bank ban: Six shocks that rocked India Inc in 2024
He spoke about interdependence. «India is an important neighbour. We are dependent on India in many ways, and India benefits from us too. A large number of Indians are working here, both formally and informally. Many Bangladeshis visit India for medical treatment, and we import significant quantities of goods from them,» General Zaman stated, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the relationship.
He noted that such a «give-and-take relationship» must be built on fairness. «While it is natural for countries to seek benefits, any perception of dominance undermines the partnership. Our relations should ensure equality, avoiding any impression that one side is imposing on the other's interests.»
General Zaman assured that Bangladesh remains committed to safeguarding India's strategic interests while expecting the same from its neighbour. «Both nations must equally prioritise and respect each other's interests,» he affirmed. The Bangladesh Army Chief reiterated that maintaining good relations with India is
