PM's defence adviser meets Indian NSA Adviser Ajit Doval at BIMSTEC meeting in Delhi
In a Nutshell:
- Ajit Doval met AKM Shamsul Islam on 15 July on the sidelines of the Bimstec security meeting.
- Shamsul Islam represented Bangladesh as the country holds the Bimstec chair.
- India is hosting the fifth Bimstec National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 16 July.
Why it Matters
Bimstec leaders agreed in 2016 to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies of member states against terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation . The grouping later created expert groups on maritime, cyber and space security cooperation.
What We Think
With the BNP-led government now charting Bangladesh's foreign policy, this meeting between India's Ajit Doval and Bangladesh's AKM Shamsul Islam could be an early glimpse of where Dhaka-New Delhi ties are headed. Relations have been shaky in recent months, so even a routine security meeting carries added weight. It won't fix the relationship overnight, but it may be the first step in shaping how the two neighbours engage under Bangladesh's new political leadership.
