India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Parag Jain travelled to Dhaka and held talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Defence Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, in a high-level security engagement between the two neighbouring countries.
Jain led a four-member Indian delegation during the official visit, which was made at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). The delegation arrived in Dhaka from New Delhi on August 9 and returned to India following the meetings.
The visit is notable for the direct interaction between the senior intelligence leadership of India and Bangladesh. According to a diplomatic source cited by The Daily Star, such exchanges are part of regular engagement between the two countries’ intelligence establishments, during which officials share observations and perspectives concerning the security situation and other matters.
During his stay in Dhaka, Jain and the Indian delegation also met Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and the chiefs of other law-enforcement agencies. These interactions indicate that the visit involved broader security-related engagement rather than being limited to a single meeting.
The latest interaction comes as India and Bangladesh continue efforts to maintain communication on bilateral security issues. Both countries share a long international border and have common interests in areas such as border security, counter-terrorism, transnational crime and regional stability.
While the specific subjects discussed during Jain’s meeting with the Defence Affairs Adviser have not been publicly disclosed, the continuation of senior-level security contacts provides an important channel for the two sides to exchange views on developments affecting their respective security interests.
Jain also serves as secretary of India’s Special Protection Group (SPG). The delegation included Ashwin Mukund Kotnis, Rahul Negi and Shaibal Roy Chowdhury, according to reports from Dhaka.
The visit takes place against the backdrop of efforts to manage and improve India-Bangladesh relations. The two neighbours have significant strategic interests in maintaining stability along their shared border and ensuring that security cooperation remains functional despite wider diplomatic challenges.
For India, continued engagement with Bangladesh is particularly important because of Dhaka’s geographical position and its close connection to India’s northeastern region. Effective communication between the two countries’ security establishments can help address emerging concerns and support regional stability.
Although the visit was described by a diplomatic source as routine, the presence of the R&AW chief and the involvement of senior Bangladeshi defence and law-enforcement officials make the engagement significant. The Dhaka talks demonstrate that direct security-level communication between India and Bangladesh remains active.
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