India ‘closely monitoring’ Bangladesh-China fighter jet, corridor talks

India on Friday said it is closely monitoring reports that Bangladesh is exploring the purchase of J-10CE multirole fighter aircraft from China and is considering Beijing's proposal to establish a China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor.

Speaking at a regular media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We closely follow all such developments in our neighbourhood and take appropriate measures as required." 

He was responding to questions about separate reports that Bangladesh is in discussions with China over the acquisition of J-10CE fighter jets and is weighing Beijing's proposal for a China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor, issues that reportedly came up during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China.

Responding to a separate question on China's reported commitment to support the Teesta River development project during the visit, Jaiswal said India's development partnership with Bangladesh is based on a mutually agreed roadmap that is reviewed regularly.

"Our developmental assistance for projects in Bangladesh is based on a mutually agreed roadmap which is regularly reviewed," he said.

On the Teesta River project, Jaiswal said India had already conveyed its position to Bangladesh.

"Our views on the Teesta river project have been previously conveyed to the Bangladesh side," he said, adding that India would "factor in all the related developments in our overall approach to Bangladesh."