RAW chief Parag Jain arrives in Dhaka

Parag Jain, chief of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has arrived in Dhaka. His visit, leading a four-member high-level delegation amid efforts to normalise Bangladesh-India relations, is being seen as significant by diplomatic and security analysts.

According to a government source, Parag Jain came to Dhaka at the invitation of the relevant Bangladeshi authorities. However, neither Dhaka nor New Delhi has officially released any information regarding his visit or the agenda of discussions.

Parag Jain arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on an Air India flight on Sunday afternoon. He is accompanied by Ashwin Mukund Kothnis, Rahul Negi and Shaibal Roy Chowdhury. The Indian delegation is reportedly staying at a hotel in the capital.

Parag Jain's visit to Dhaka follows his recent trip to China, adding regional significance to the visit. However, no official information is available on what he discussed in China or whether there is any diplomatic link between Beijing and his arrival in Dhaka.

In the broader regional context, China's role has always been significant in India-Bangladesh relations. Particularly, with China's growing presence in infrastructure, trade, investment and strategic connectivity, the importance of security and strategic communication with Dhaka has also come to the forefront for New Delhi.

Meanwhile, Dhaka and New Delhi have increased communication at multiple levels in recent months to overcome the strains that emerged after the political change in 2024. The two countries have taken initiatives to revive various institutional frameworks of bilateral relations. High-level contacts have also been made on border management and security cooperation.

In this process of rebuilding relations, however, unresolved and sensitive issues remain. In particular, Dhaka's demand for the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in India, and New Delhi's review of the legal process regarding this matter remain a major sensitive issue in bilateral relations. At the same time, Dhaka's dissatisfaction over Sheikh Hasina's recent statements has also come to the fore.

Against this backdrop, the RAW chief's Dhaka visit is not being seen merely as a security contact. It is also considered significant as part of a broader process of repairing political relations, restructuring security cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding in the regional context between the two countries.

Parag Jain serves as Secretary of RAW and also as Special Secretary of India's Special Protection Group (SPG).