 "How should India see increased US military activity in Bangladesh's Chittagong?")
Should India be alarmed about US actions in Bangladesh?
A C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft belonging to the US Air Force recently arrived in Bangladesh.
This comes in the backdrop of the US Air Force, Bangladesh Air Force and Sri Lankan Air Force conducting ‘Operation Pacific Angel 25-3’. The exercise, which began Monday (15 September), will last for four days.
The development comes months after the United States and Bangladesh held Exercise Tiger Lightning-2025.
But what do we know? Should India be concerned about increased US military activity in Bangladesh?
What do we know?
The C-130J Super Hercules recently touched down at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong. The Hercules craft is a tactical transport aeroplane normally based at the US Air Force’s Yokota station in Japan.
It comes in the backdrop of the three air forces launching ‘Pacific Angel 25-3’ at Bangladesh Air Force Zahurul Haque base in Chittagong. As per US officials, this exercise has been held throughout the Indo-Pacific for more than a decade. They say the exercise is intended to strengthen defence cooperation, interoperability, and humanitarian response.
As per reports, there are three C-130J among the craft taking part in the exercise including two from the US Pacific Air Forces. An MI-17 helicopter from the Bangladesh Air Force and another two C-130J transport aircraft from the US Pacific Air Forces. At least 242 personnel, including 150 from the Bangladesh Air Force and 92 from the US Air Force, are participating in the exercise.
The US Chargé d’Affaires in Bangladesh, Tracy Ann Jacobson, has visited the base to inspect the exercises. She was joined by senior officials from the US Embassy in Dhaka, representatives from the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and senior officers from BAF Base Zahurul Haque.
There are also reports that another US-Bangladesh joint exercise is being planned in the Chittagong area. A number of troops are said to have landed in Chittagong last week. Their objective – training, logistics, planning, reconnaissance – or which exercise they are participating in remains unclear for now.
The development comes months after the two countries held the Tiger Lightning 2025 exercise in Sylhet’s Jalalabad Cantonment. This was a six-day joint military exercise between Bangladesh Army (Para Commando Brigade) and the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) as well as the Nevada National Guard.
The exercise, held from 24 to 30 July 2025, witnessed dozens of personnel from the Nevada National Guard and 100 elite personnel from Bangladesh’s Para Commando Brigade take part in it. It focused on, among other things, enhancing joint operational capabilities, readiness, interoperability. Specific training included counter-terrorism, jungle warfare and combat casualty care.
Should India be concerned?
Maybe. Chittagong lies near the borders of India and Myanmar, making it a strategically important zone.
As per the Economic Times, some are worried that countries outside South Asia could be using Bangladesh as a base to expand their influence when it comes to India.
The US was previously accused of playing a role in the protests that led to the ouster of ex-Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Trump in February rejected any involvement that the US ‘deep state’ was involved in Bangladesh.
In August 2024, a student-led movement ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after weeks of protest and violence that resulted in over 600 deaths. Hasina, 76, fled to India, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was subsequently formed.
There are claims that the US was unhappy with Hasina because she allegedly refused to hand over St Martin’s Island to the US. Some also point to a US Special Forces officer’s body being found in a posh Dhaka hotel last month. According to reports, the body was handed over to embassy officials without an autopsy being conducted.
As per the newspaper, the geopolitical implications of the US increasing its profile in the region are worth pondering. Is the US trying to counter China’s influence in South Asia? If so, it could change the balance of power and security in the region.
Some are also wondering what could be behind these exercises and troop deployments. Analysts are questioning whether Bangladesh is being used as a centre for logistics or intelligence operations that could have an effect on India. An increased US presence in Bangladesh will also force the interim government to take great care to keep Washington happy. That, in turn, could increase tensions with neighbouring governments.
US and China are also reportedly making overtures to Myanmar’s rebel groups. This, in turn, could increase India’s risk along the states that share a border with Myanmar. This could further impact insurgencies and the flow of refugees.
However, much remains unknown at this point. It appears there are more questions than answers.
With inputs from agencies
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