In a provocative statement, ALM Fazlur Rahman, a retired Bangladeshi major general and former head of the Bangladesh Rifles, suggested that Bangladesh should invade and occupy India's seven northeastern states if New Delhi attacks Pakistan. Writing in Bengali on Facebook, Rahman called for initiating discussions on a joint military arrangement with China to realize this audacious strategy. His remarks follow heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 people. The comments arrive at a sensitive time, as India and Bangladesh attempt to repair strained ties, worsened by incidents like former PM Sheikh Hasina seeking asylum in India and rising concerns over Hindu minority safety in Bangladesh.

Rahman's ally, Muhammad Yunus, recently made similar remarks about India's northeast, calling Bangladesh the “guardian of the ocean” for the region. India has strongly condemned these insinuations, further complicating diplomatic relations between the two nations. The situation remains tense with potential geopolitical repercussions.