The Bay of Bengal is turning into a geopolitical hotspot. In just a few months, the United States has dramatically escalated its military engagement in Bangladesh—conducting rapid-fire drills, flying in warplanes, and landing troops at strategic locations. The moves have triggered alarm in New Delhi, where policymakers fear Washington is reshaping South Asia’s security map.
The key question: Is the US simply training with Bangladesh, or is Dhaka being turned into a new pivot for Indo-Pacific power rivalry?
A Sudden Surge of US Military Activity
The turning point came on a Sunday when a US Air Force C-130J Super Hercules—normally stationed in Japan—landed at Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong. This was no ordinary arrival. The airport sits at a strategic crossroad: just a short distance from India’s sensitive Northeast and the volatile Myanmar border.
This was not an isolated incident. It was part of a flurry of joint US-Bangladesh military exercises in barely two months:
👉 Tiger Lightning (July 2025): Counterterrorism and jungle warfare drills.
👉 Tiger Shark (August 2025): Special forces operations with US-supplied weapons.
👉 Pacific Angel 25-3 (September 2025): A multilateral air exercise with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Three large-scale drills in 60 days is anything but routine. It signals a deliberate U.S. push to cement a military footprint in Bangladesh.
Political Upheaval: A Window for Washington
Bangladesh’s internal politics explains much of this surge.
👉 July 2024: Student-led protests toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was long aligned with New Delhi.
👉 Muhammad Yunus, Nobel laureate and widely seen as close to Washington, was installed as interim leader.
👉 Rumors swirled that the US had quietly supported the transition, betting Yunus would tilt Dhaka away from India and closer to the West.
Seen against this backdrop, the sharp increase in U.S. military cooperation looks less like coincidence—and more like strategic positioning under a friendlier regime.
Suspicious Incidents Fuel Speculation
The intrigue deepened earlier this year when:
👉 A US Special Forces soldier was found dead in a Dhaka hotel, where he had been stationed since April 2025.
👉 The US Embassy refused to disclose details, raising suspicions of covert operations.
👉 Reports suggested that Indian intelligence flagged wider American activities, adding to New Delhi’s unease.
For many observers, the situation now resembles a real-world spy thriller—except with stakes that could redefine South Asia’s power balance.
The Myanmar Connection: Why Chittagong Is Critical
Chittagong is not just Bangladesh’s commercial hub. It sits near the Rakhine state of Myanmar, where a civil war pits the junta against a rebel alliance.
👉 The US and China are believed to be backing rival sides in Myanmar’s conflict.
👉 Earlier in 2025, the UN floated an aid corridor from Chittagong into Myanmar. Bangladesh’s interim civilian leadership backed it, but its military opposed the plan, citing sovereignty concerns.
👉 With US drills now extending into the Chittagong Hill Tracts, analysts believe Washington may still be eyeing this corridor—possibly as a dual-use supply line for aid and covert military support.
In effect, Chittagong has become a frontline in the US-China contest, with Bangladesh caught in between.
Why India Is Alarmed
For India, the developments are deeply unsettling on multiple fronts:
👉 Strategic Proximity: Chittagong lies less than 100 km from India’s Northeast, making any foreign military presence a direct challenge.
👉 Eroding Ties: Under Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh leaned toward India. Under Yunus, ties have cooled dramatically.
👉 China Factor: While the US builds its military footprint, China is tightening its grip economically and militarily:
📌 Dhaka is weighing the purchase of Chinese J-10 fighter jets.
📌 The Teesta River project, once promised to India, is now being offered to Beijing.
📌 China is expanding port infrastructure in both Bangladesh and Myanmar, giving it greater access to the Bay of Bengal.
India thus faces a double squeeze—the US using Bangladesh to monitor the region, while China consolidates long-term influence.
The Bigger Picture: Bangladesh as a Geopolitical Pivot
Bangladesh is emerging as more than just India’s neighbor. It is becoming a strategic hinge point in the Indo-Pacific rivalry:
📌 For the US: A launchpad to block China’s Bay of Bengal access and keep an eye on India’s Northeast.
📌 For China: A gateway to the Indian Ocean that bypasses the vulnerable Malacca Strait.
📌 For India: A critical buffer that protects the Siliguri Corridor—its lifeline to the Northeast.
Whichever power secures Dhaka’s loyalty will gain a decisive edge in South Asia’s balance of power.
What India Can Do Next
Experts suggest New Delhi must act on multiple fronts:
📌 Diplomatic Outreach: Rebuild ties with Dhaka, even if cautiously under Yunus.
📌 Strategic Partnerships: Deepen engagement with Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and ASEAN to counter encirclement.
📌 Military Vigilance: Boost surveillance and strengthen infrastructure in the Northeast and Bay of Bengal.
India cannot afford complacency. Bangladesh must now be treated as a frontline state in India’s security doctrine.
What’s Ahead
The surge in US military activity in Bangladesh is not just about joint drills—it is about power projection and influence in the Indo-Pacific. With Washington and Beijing vying for Dhaka, India faces a precarious challenge right on its doorstep.
As interim leader Muhammad Yunus navigates between two superpowers, his choices could either stabilize Bangladesh—or drag it deeper into the great power rivalry.
For New Delhi, the alarm bells are already ringing. The question is: Will India respond in time
References
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