Both India and Pakistan exploiting conflict for political leverage, says former ambassador Humayun Kabir

Former ambassador M Humayun Kabir believes the India-Pakistan conflict is largely fuelled by the desire of both countries to secure political advantage at home.

Speaking at bdnews24.com interview programme “Inside Out”, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is deeply rooted in religious politics, while India and Pakistan have long treated each other as arch-enemies.

“That perpetual hostility is being leveraged for political gain,” he observed.

Humayun Kabir also argued that Pakistan is using the war as a political tool: “The Pakistani military has always acted as a controlling force. War gives them an opportunity to restore their image.”

The interview was recorded on Saturday morning. Later that afternoon, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire.

The discussion also touched on Bangladesh’s relations with India, Pakistan, and China; US expectations of Bangladesh; and the prospect of a humanitarian corridor for Rohingya refugees.