The Asiapost News

According to various report published around the world In 2024, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan successfully re-established its strategic activities in Bangladesh, leveraging historical networks and current geopolitical tensions.

To understand it in condensed let me try shades some light.
In a comprehensive analysis of ISIs recent track , operations and their broader implications:

The Key Areas of (ISI) Influence were noticed

Support for Extremist Groups
The ISI has been historically linked to extremist groups operating in Bangladesh and the broader South Asian region. Evidence suggests ongoing ties with organizations mainly Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other Islamic extremist networks These groups have been used to try destabilize governments and re-establish ISI/Pakistani influence a strive of coordination with the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, to escalate tensions and instability . This group played a central role on organizing and inflaming dissension and loathe with in local political party and other illegitimate armed militant groups who were actively engaged the process of ousted a government ,to do that they had to identify and targeted their main counter groups around and logically Indian was their focus ,( the Indian had to keep their eyes on their backyard neighbour to keep Indians national security intact especially when the northeast part of India is historically not as strongly preside over as rest of India), Networks like ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) and NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) is and were a chronic issue for India .

Political Destabilization
Pakistan’s ISI has reportedly been involved in fomenting unrest to weaken the political stability of Bangladesh . include fostering anti-India narratives and backing opposition parties or extremist elements to create instability. Awamileauge government seen as a “pro-Indian” which is theoretical favorable outcome of (ISI) of its first step.

Initial strategy & effort remains a same and primary target for ISI’s to shift the political balance as anti-India or destabilize security because its (Bangladesh) very owns birth cause at 1971 .

Similar to tactics observed in other South Asian countries. Comparisons with Sri Lanka’s recent economic-political crisis suggest a pattern in ISI’s approach.

Facilitating Arms Trafficking
Arms smuggling into Bangladesh has been a notable feature of ISI operations. Past incidents, such as the Chittagong arms haul, reveal a persistent effort to arm insurgent groups like ULFA in India’s north-eastern states. These activities not only threaten regional security but also deepen Bangladesh’s internal security issues.

Geopolitical Context

China’s Role
China’s increasing influence in Bangladesh, particularly in economic and infrastructural projects, is viewed to ISI as complementary to their goals, However China never shown any visibal interest . This relationship seeks to counterbalance India’s regional dominance. Bangladesh’s strategic location within the Bay of Bengal makes it critical for both Pakistan and China in their broader Indo-Pacific strategies.

India’s Challenges
The ouster of a leader like Sheikh Hasina or any anti Pakistan would create a strategic void, potentially enabling anti-India elements to gain influence. This shift poses challenges to India’s border security, trade, and regional diplomacy and growth and long-term political stability of its next-door neighbour.

I have spoken few Bangladeshi (AW) front line political leaders most of them currently exile in india or Europe and wanted to know the very common question : why Bangladesh is pro Indian? and the response was “Bangladesh Awamileauge is more anti-Pakistan then “pro Indian ” and why anti Pakistan? due to Pakistan’s brutality of 1971 on Bangali, Pakistans track record of its governing ideology its instability within in its own governing system, its economic plan everything falls short with any standard definition of a sovereign nation.

Comparative Analysis and Future Outlook

The ISI’s activities in Bangladesh echo its strategies in other regions, such as Afghanistan and Kashmir, marked by a combination of covert operations, support for insurgent networks, and efforts to destabilize governments which does not fall in their favor , The global context, including U.S. interests in countering Chinese influence, adds complexity to Bangladesh’s internal dynamics.

The continuation of ISI operations underscores the need for robust counterintelligence efforts by Bangladesh and strategic vigilance from its allies, particularly India for its own political and security stability and Western powers focused on regional stability.