GUWAHATI, Nov 10: Former Chief of Eastern Command, Lt Gen R.P. Kalita (Retd.), has cautioned against the growing influence of extremist groups in Bangladesh, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to India’s security, especially in the Northeast.
Lt Gen Kalita said that political developments under the Sheikh Hasina government have emboldened fundamentalist elements, which are now gaining ground near India’s northeastern borders. He expressed concern that such groups could exploit the porous boundary to spread instability and disrupt peace in the strategically sensitive region.
“India must remain extremely vigilant. The growing radical influence in Bangladesh is a potential flashpoint that could affect border security and communal harmony in the Northeast,” he warned.
Highlighting developments on the northern frontier, Lt Gen Kalita noted significant military infrastructure growth on both sides of the India-China border, including the establishment of new helipads, airstrips, and enhanced logistics networks. He stressed that these upgrades reflect ongoing strategic competition and the need for India to maintain operational preparedness.
The retired general praised India’s recent progress in fortifying remote border areas across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand through improved roads, communication networks, and surveillance systems. However, he cautioned that these advancements must be accompanied by sustained alertness and coordinated security efforts.
“While India’s infrastructure and connectivity have improved immensely, complacency can never be an option,” he said, emphasizing that strategic vigilance and intelligence coordination are key to safeguarding sovereignty along both the Bangladesh and China frontiers.
