Recently, Mahfuz Alam, an advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government and a close associate of Mo Yunus, posted a controversial message on Facebook claiming that West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura should be part of Bangladesh. The post included a map showing these states as part of Bangladesh but was later deleted. This provocative statement raises the question of how long Bangladesh could stand against the Indian military if the situation escalates.
Deteriorating Relations Between India and Bangladesh
Tensions between India and Bangladesh have been rising, particularly after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. Hindus in Bangladesh have faced increasing attacks, and Bangladesh has made several statements against India in recent days. The recent comment by Mahfuz Alam about Indian states joining Bangladesh has led to strong condemnation from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, warning Bangladesh in clear terms. With relations on the brink of collapse, the question arises: How long could Bangladesh withstand an attack from India’s military?
Bangladesh’s Military Strength vs. India
When it comes to military power, Bangladesh is significantly weaker compared to India. Bangladesh ranks 37th globally in military strength, while India stands as the fourth-largest military power in the world. India has 1.44 million active soldiers, making it the second-largest army in the world. In comparison, Bangladesh’s military would struggle to last even a day against India’s formidable forces.
India’s Military Might
India has a far stronger defense system, with over 25 million personnel in paramilitary forces, more than Pakistan and Bangladesh combined. India also has 4,500 tanks and 538 combat aircraft. With advanced supersonic missiles and nuclear weapons, India is far ahead, even if Bangladesh and Pakistan were to join forces.
Bangladesh’s Military Capabilities
Bangladesh has around 175,000 active soldiers, including Border Guard and Coast Guard units, with 7,000 soldiers deployed in UN peacekeeping missions. The country’s military arsenal includes 13,100 armored vehicles, 281 tanks, 30 automatic artillery pieces, 370 towed artillery, and 70 rocket artillery units. Bangladesh spends approximately $3.8 billion annually on defense—an amount that pales in comparison to India’s defense budget.
Bangladesh’s Weak Military Position
Given India’s overwhelming military superiority, it is unlikely that Bangladesh’s army could hold out for long in a conflict. With India’s massive advantage in both manpower and military technology, Bangladesh’s chances of survival against India’s armed forces would be slim.
