More surprised than worried, says Touhid on India’s readiness for ‘unexpected’

Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain has expressed surprise rather than concern over India's recent call for its armed forces to be ready in response to the situation in Bangladesh, Ukraine and Palestine. 

He made this statement during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (September 8) at 12:30pm.

When asked whether India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s comments about the readiness of Indian forces posed any threat to Bangladesh, Hossain responded, "I am more surprised than worried. I don't understand why such a statement was made. I don't see any possibility of conflict between our two countries under any circumstances."

Touhid speculated that the remarks were likely intended for India’s domestic audience, adding, "There is a lot of ambiguity in his comments. I don’t see how situations like the war in Ukraine or the conflict with Hamas relate to India's military preparedness, especially in connection with Bangladesh."

Regarding whether this statement should be viewed as a threat, Hossain reiterated, "I still believe this is related to India's internal issues. We should not rush to react."

When asked if there had been any diplomatic communication with India on the matter, the adviser responded, "At this moment, I prefer not to comment on any exchanges. We are closely monitoring the situation to understand why these statements were made."

On Thursday, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on India’s military commanders to prepare for any "unexpected" developments, stressing vigilance in light of recent political changes in Bangladesh. He urged the military to closely monitor the evolving situation in Bangladesh and to be ready for potential challenges.

Speaking at the Joint Commanders' Conference in Lucknow, Singh also highlighted the need for Indian forces to stay alert to global conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas situation. He emphasised the importance of a unified military vision and swift responses to any provocations India might face.

“India is currently experiencing a rare peace dividend amid global volatility, but with rising challenges, we must remain alert,” Singh said, stressing the need for readiness in the face of unpredictability.

The conference, as reported by The Telegraph, focused on enhancing military coordination and ensuring operational efficiency both in peace and wartime scenarios.