Dastgir was one of the best known Bengali army officers of his time – and was apparently considered by the CIA to be the most likely person to lead the Bangladesh Army in case of war. Following his active military service, he had a distinguished career as a diplomat during his four terms as ambassador. Described as an "upright officer of the old school",[1] he held conservative views with a strong belief in civilian governance which might have been a product of his US training, and these convictions may have been a deterrent to his rise to the pinnacle of political power.