Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Parag Jain has held a high-level meeting with Bangladesh’s Defence Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam during a visit to Dhaka, marking a significant security-level engagement between India and Bangladesh.
Jain led a four-member Indian delegation during the visit, which was reportedly undertaken at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). The meeting brought senior Indian and Bangladeshi security officials together at a time when both countries are seeking to improve bilateral relations and maintain closer communication on security matters.
The discussions are understood to have covered issues of mutual security interest and bilateral cooperation. Jain’s visit also reportedly included interactions with Bangladesh’s Home Minister and senior officials from law-enforcement agencies, highlighting the wider importance of security cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The engagement comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Dhaka to restore a more constructive relationship following a period of diplomatic strain. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has recently stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for resetting ties with India, while several sensitive bilateral issues continue to require diplomatic attention.
India and Bangladesh share a long border and have traditionally cooperated on counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, border management and tackling transnational crime. Regular communication between their intelligence and security establishments is therefore considered important for maintaining regional stability.
The visit by the RAW chief assumes additional significance because of ongoing discussions surrounding former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been staying in India since leaving Bangladesh in 2024. Dhaka has sought her extradition, while India has indicated that the request is being considered through established legal procedures.
Although details of the discussions between Jain and Bangladesh’s defence leadership have not been publicly disclosed, the high-level contact indicates that security channels between New Delhi and Dhaka remain active. The meeting could help maintain institutional communication and support efforts to rebuild trust between the two countries.
For India, stable relations with Bangladesh remain strategically important because of the countries’ shared border, connectivity and security interests, particularly concerning India’s northeastern region. The latest engagement could therefore represent an important step toward strengthening bilateral security cooperation as both sides work to develop a more stable and pragmatic relationship.