Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says that animosity between India and Bangladesh is not in the interest of either country.
"We are neighbours. We have to live together, understand each other, and any kind of animosity is not in each other's interest," he said on Monday at the Annual Media Address ahead of India's Army Day.
"I'll take your mind back to the comment which was made by the Bangladesh [army] chief recently," he said in response to a question.
"That 'India is strategically important to us'. And the same is vice versa. Bangladesh is strategically important to us."
He noted that Bangladesh shares most of its border with India, outside of a small portion in the southeast with Myanmar.
"As of today, firstly there is no vulnerability from any side," Dwivedi said. "I am in touch with the chief of Bangladesh during the time of when the changeover took place. I was in constant touch with him. And even after, on Nov 24, we had a video conference also."
"As far as military cooperation is concerned, it is again going on in the same way. Our officers have moved there for the NDC also.
There is no let up on that side. The only thing is, as per the joint exercise which is carried out, because of the situation as of now, we have postponed for some time and as in when the situation improves that exercise will also go on."
He said that discussions on the relationship between the two countries should be kept until an elected government is in place in Bangladesh.
"So, as of now, the relationship with the military is well and perfect," he said.
Following the student-led mass uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina from power on Aug 5, tensions have escalated between Bangladesh and India amid a spate of border disputes.
The alleged construction of barbed wire fencing on the border by India has further fuelled the fire.
—bdnews24.com
