US moves in Bangladesh set off alarm in neighbours India, Myanmar

New Delhi: An increase in the US military activities in Bangladesh's strategically placed Chittagong area, located close to borders of India and Myanmar, has raised eyebrows as it may have implications beyond Bangladesh.

A modern tactical transport aircraft of the US Air Force, a C-130J Super Hercules, which usually operates from Yokota Airbase in Japan, landed at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong on Sunday in what was the latest development involving the US military in the area. The landing of the aircraft in Chittagong is not a mere coincidence as reports have emerged of the role of extra-regional players in the area with interests in India's northeastern region and Myanmar, claimed sources familiar with the region. Myanmar rebels are being wooed by both the US and China.

Ever since the Muhammad Yunus-led regime came to power, the US military has often been seen visiting the area, either for surveys or joint exercises. A few months back, US and Bangladesh held bilateral military exercises - Operation Pacific Angel-25 and Tiger Lightning-2025 in Chittagong.


Sources informed that yet another US-Bangladesh joint exercise is being planned in the Chittagong area with a batch of US troops landing in the area last week. Last month, the body of a US Special Forces Command (Airborne) officer was found in a posh Dhaka hotel. The Bangladesh military has not been comfortable with the presence of US troops in the country apart from the joint exercise.

There have been allegations about the US role in orchestrating anti-Hasina movement that led to ouster of the Bangladesh PM through "street revolution" in August 2024. Hasina had alleged that she was ousted for her refusal to hand over St Martin's Island to the US.