A top Indian official on Friday said New Delhi is keeping a close watch on any activities happening in the neighbourhood when it is related to national safety, following the visit of a delegation of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency to Bangladesh.
Speaking to the press, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “We always keep a close watch on any activities happening in our neighbourhood or in our region, especially those related to our security and national safety.”
“We remain vigilant, and we will take whatever steps are necessary as per the situation,” Jaiswal said.
Major General Shahid Amir Afsar, the ISI’s director general of analysis, who previously served as Pakistan’s defence attache in Beijing, is part of the team that was on a four-day visit to Bangladesh amid a marked thaw in relations between the two countries, people familiar with the developments told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity.
The Pakistani delegation visited Bangladesh just days after a military team from Dhaka, led by Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan, travelled to Islamabad from January 13 to January 18.
During the visit, the delegation paid courtesy calls and exchanged views with the chiefs of the three armed forces of Pakistan as well as other high-ranking military officials, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued recently as quoted by the Dhaka Tribune.
Relationship between India and Bangladesh touched a new low since former PM Sheikh Hasina exited the country and escaped to New Delhi amid violent protests against her regime over a job quota issue.
