BNP questions Indian Army chief’s frequent Dhaka visit; ISPR says no visit scheduled

The BNP has questioned the second visit of Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat in a month, but Bangladesh military’s press wing says no such visit is scheduled.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu at a human chain programme in Dhaka on Friday claimed that the Indian army chief is coming to Dhaka on Apr 27 after his first visit on Mar 31.

However, Lt Col Rashidul Hasan, ISPR Director, confirmed that the Indian Army chief is not coming and the news on the matter was 'baseless.' 

In a Facebook status, Press Minister at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Farid Hossain, said “I am told that a couple of media outlets reported Indian Army chief will (sic) visit Dhaka for the second time in a month. The source of the report Times of India immediately withdrew the wrong report, but some Dhaka media didn't.”

He termed it “highly irresponsible journalism” on the part of Bangladeshi media.

However, the Times of India website is still carrying the story with the headline “Army chief to visit Bangladesh next week.”

“Army chief General Bipin Rawat is now headed for Dhaka, soon after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India earlier this month, in line with the policy to upgrade the bilateral defence relationship,” it says