New Delhi: Bangladesh has appointed a new chief of general staff and reshuffled other top military positions including appointing a new chief of military intelligence. The changes in the military top brass, within a week of the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rehman assuming power after recent national elections, drew widespread attention in Indian media. The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) government was sworn in on February 17 and put these changes into motion on February 23.Notable among the new appointments is the new General Officer Commading (GOC), Brigadier General Md. Hafizur Rahman. He has been called back from being defence advisor at the Bangladesh High Commission in India, Prothom Alo reported.Lieutenant General M. Mainur Rahman, who previously served as the chief or General Officer Commanding of Army Training and Doctrine Command, has been appointed the new CGS. The CGS replaces a post vacated on retirement by Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim.These and other high-profile changes signalled the new government’s intent to strengthen its hold over the armed forcing, replacing officers in charge during the previous interim administration and some during the term of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.Major General Mohammad Jahangir Alam, who headed Bangladesh military intelligence, is a new ambassador in the Foreign Ministry. He stands replaced by Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury.The reshuffles are being viewed as significant in the context of Bangladesh, where the armed forces have played a role in political transitions, especially in light of the flux in the country in the wake of the popular uprising in 2024, leading to the 2026 election and a new government with BNP strongly in the lead.Bangladesh also announced restoration of full visa and consular services for Indian citizens across its missions. The services were “temporarily suspended” in the run up to the election. This is being seen to signal a thaw in diplomatic relations between the countries.India suspended some categories of visas for Bangladesh nationals last December. New Delhi indicated on February 20 these services would be resumed, just before Bangladesh’s announcement to re-open tourist and all other visa services access for Indian citizens within a week.The visa suspensions followed an attack on youth leader Osman Hadi in Dhaka last December, ultimately leading to his death on December 18, and sparking allegations of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh in the aftermath.In recent days, remarks from officials in both countries have mentioned a desire to encourage people-to-people relations and allowing business and medical visas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed readiness to strengthen mutual ties as well as security with the new government.