The recent US military exercises in Chittagong, Bangladesh, involving C-130J aircraft and Bangladeshi Mi-17 helicopters, highlight a growing American presence in the region, which could influence India’s eastern security dynamics. This activity follows prior engagements, such as the Tiger Lightning 2025 exercise, and coincides with a political transition in Bangladesh that appears more amenable to Western military cooperation. While a stronger US-Bangladesh alliance may counter Chinese influence in the Bay of Bengal, it also raises concerns for India regarding surveillance and strategic balance. New Delhi faces a complex choice of welcoming US support against China or viewing it as an encroachment on its traditional sphere of influence.