Tharoor-led panel urges govt to closely monitor China's activities in Bangladesh

New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has expressed concern over "increasing Chinese footprint" in Bangladesh, particularly in infrastructure development, and has recommended the government to closely monitor the activities of foreign powers in that country, considering that any attempt by "unfriendly countries" to establish a military foothold there would pose serious security risks for India.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in a report tabled in Parliament on Thursday, also urged the Centre to leverage India's comparative advantage in development cooperation to strengthen trust and reinforce India's position as "Bangladesh's most reliable partner".

It is titled -- "Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/ Recommendations contained in the Ninth Report of the Committee on the subject 'Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship'".


The panel observed with "concern the increasing Chinese footprint in Bangladesh, particularly in infrastructure development, port expansion, and defence cooperation, including the Mongla Port project and Lalmonirhat airbase".

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It noted that Bangladesh signed an agreement with China in March 2025 to implement a USD 370 million expansion project at Mongla Port.

The committee also noted that Lalmonirhat Airbase is being developed with Chinese assistance although the Director of Military Operations of Bangladesh Army has stated that there are "currently no plans to upgrade the airstrip for military use".

The panel has recommend that the "government closely monitor the activities of foreign powers in Bangladesh, considering that any attempt by unfriendly countries to establish a military foothold in Bangladesh would pose serious security risks for our country".

The committee also said the recent visit of Jammat-e-Islami Party to China, which clearly indicates its "broad engagement" with various factions in Bangladesh, further solidifying its presence.

"Additionally, the Committee are concerned to know that a submarine base has been built by China at Pekua, capable of accommodating eight submarines when Bangladesh has only two. With regard to other infrastructure projects, the Committee have been informed that China has been present in Bangladesh for quite some time and is not necessarily an outcome of recent political development," the report said.

The Ministry of External Affairs has informed the committee that to enhance port's connectivity to hinterland, India has financed and completed a key rail connectivity project, the Khulna-Mongla Railway Line, the panel added.

"India has also signed an agreement with Bangladesh on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for transit access to secure our interests. While recognising Bangladesh's sovereign right to pursue diverse partnerships, the Committee emphasise the importance of safeguarding India's strategic and security interests, especially concerning the Siliguri Corridor and the Bay of Bengal region.

"In this regard, the development of Lalmonirhat Airbase with Chinese assistance, which is just 15 km from the international border, is a matter of concern to the Committee," the report said.

A new Bangladesh Nationalist Party government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman came to power in February following the parliamentary elections.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who visited India in April and held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, as the two sides vowed to normalise their partnership following more than 18 months of unprecedented strain in relations.

In the report, the panel has also observed that while significant progress has been made, strategic focus remains required to address persistent challenges such as illegal migration, smuggling, radicalization and cross border crime along the India-Bangladesh border.

The Committee said it has noted that socio-economic vulnerabilities, particularly lack of livelihood opportunities, make border communities susceptible to illegal cross border activities.

The panel acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in maintaining border security through joint patrols, coordinated intelligence sharing, and hotline communications.

The panel further said the government should prioritise deployment of advanced modern surveillance tools such as "drones, thermal cameras, motion sensors, and satellite-based systems to enhance real-time monitoring and deterrence".

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In addition, a "multi-agency coordination framework" involving state governments, central intelligence and investigative agencies, and law enforcement authorities be developed to ensure prompt detection and action against cross-border crimes, it said.

The committee further emphasised that effective border management must go beyond physical security, and adopting a humane people-sensitive approach incorporating socio-economic development initiatives and community engagement along the border to reduce local vulnerabilities to smuggling, illegal migration, and cross-border crimes.

In addition, the panel said, it would like the government to consider implementing Border Area Development Programme in border areas to help reduce border crimes and improve social environment in the border areas.