Bangladesh Eyes JF-17 Jets Amid India Strain; Pakistan Pitches China-Backed Fighters

• Bangladesh is considering purchasing JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan, a move that follows strained ties with India after Sheikh Hasina's ouster.
• Bangladesh Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met his Pakistani counterpart Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu in Islamabad to discuss the JF-17 procurement.
• The JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft is jointly developed by China and Pakistan; discussions included enhancing operational cooperation and training.
• This engagement signals a shift in Dhaka's foreign policy post-2024, moving away from close ties with India and warming relations with Pakistan.
• India-Bangladesh ties have faced strain due to reports of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh, raising concerns in New Delhi.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's potential JF-17 purchase from Pakistan signals a major geopolitical shift in South Asia.