Bangladesh risks becoming a staging ground for anti-India terrorist activities as Pakistan seeks to revive its long-standing agenda against New Delhi by exploiting regional instability and growing radical networks, according to a detailed analytical report released on Monday. The report cautions Dhaka to remain alert, warning that Islamabad shows little concern for the internal consequences of sponsoring extremist elements within Bangladesh.

The analysis argues that while Bangladesh may be welcoming improved diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, such outreach must be accompanied by vigilance. It stresses that Pakistan’s strategic objective is not reconciliation, but leveraging Bangladeshi territory to advance hostile operations against India. Any complacency, the report warns, could undermine Bangladesh’s own security and social cohesion.

Recalling historical context, the report points to Pakistan’s military campaign during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War as evidence of Islamabad’s enduring approach to the region. It cites Operation Searchlight, launched in March 1971, which Bangladeshi historical records describe as a brutal crackdown aimed at suppressing the Bengali independence movement. During that period, Pakistan’s military and allied Islamist groups carried out widespread atrocities, taking advantage of restrictions on foreign media to act with impunity.

Although Pakistan ultimately failed to prevent the creation of Bangladesh, the report notes that Islamabad continued pursuing ideological influence in the region through the promotion of religious radicalism. This strategy, it argues, was designed to preserve ideological alignment with West Pakistan even after territorial separation.

According to the report, current political and social vulnerabilities in Bangladesh have created conditions conducive to renewed radicalisation. These circumstances have reportedly enabled extremist groups to reassert themselves, providing Pakistan with an opportunity to rebuild influence networks. The report claims there are growing indications that Pakistan’s security establishment is actively encouraging anti-Hindu sentiment and facilitating coordination among extremist organisations, with the ultimate objective of targeting India.

The report urges Indian authorities to remain prepared for potential spillover effects, while advocating a proactive approach to counter emerging threats. At the same time, it emphasises that Bangladesh’s leadership bears a critical responsibility in preventing the misuse of its territory by external actors pursuing destabilising agendas.

Looking ahead, the report stresses that Bangladesh’s future government must draw lessons from history and decisively curb political patronage that enables religious extremism. It warns that once radicalisation takes root, it becomes exceedingly difficult to contain, pointing to Pakistan itself as a cautionary example of how sustained extremist policies can erode national stability.

The analysis concludes that Bangladesh’s long-term security and democratic resilience depend on resisting external manipulation and ensuring that religious radicalism is neither politically rewarded nor institutionally protected. Failure to do so, it cautions, could not only strain relations with India but also jeopardise Bangladesh’s internal peace and regional standing.