(MENAFN- NewsIn.Asia) New Delhi, November 17 (newsin.asia): Bangladesh poses a 'big security challenge' to India on par with Pakistan and China, the junior Home Minister Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said on Thursday in controversial remarks that clash with on-going efforts to strengthen relations between India and Bangladesh.
"It is not only China or Pakistan but Bangladesh poses an equally big challenge to our national security, I know it because I get to see that closely," Ahir, 63, said at a homeland security event organized by industry body ASSOCHAM according to news agency Press Trust of India
"Bangladesh is only a so-called friend because evidently it has caused India most harm through illegal intrusion. As such only smart technologies will help us curb this menace," the Minister said.
The minister, however, did not stop at Bangladesh, and offered his perspective on China as well. According to a statement by ASSOCHAM the minister spoke on the recent intrusion attempts by China.
"China today is not a very close friend of ours, they have always raised problems for the country. As for Pakistan, he said no one can stop India if it tries to get back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir "because it is our right and we will make efforts to get it back".
The minister had last week traveled to Assam to review steps taken by India's border guarding force, the Border Security Force, to secure the border with Bangladesh.
His remarks are seen to be at variance with India's official stand on Bangladesh and China.
Just last week ,Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had launched a string of connectivity projects that Modi had stressed would give the "historic bond" between the people of the two countries "a fresh boost".
(The featured image at the top shows Hansraj Ahir, the Indian Minister of State for Home)
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