Bangladesh Navy chief visits India

Bangladesh’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal is on a seven-day official visit to India, starting from Saturday.

According to a Ministry of Defence statement issued on Monday, during his visit, the Bangladeshi Chief of Naval Staff will meet India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and other high ranking officials.

The ministry added that during the bilateral interactions, issues relating to joint cooperative efforts like Coordinated Patrol along International Maritime Boundary Line, bilateral exercise BONGOSAGAR, conduct of naval training and reciprocal visits of delegations would be discussed.

On completion of engagements in Delhi, Admiral Shaheen Iqbal is scheduled to visit Mumbai, where he will meet with VAdm R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and visit Flagship of Western Naval Command.

On completion of the Mumbai visit, the Admiral would proceed to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington to witness training activities and interact with Commandant, DSSC.

India and Bangladesh share bonds of history, language, culture and multitudes of other commonalities.

The excellent bilateral ties reflect an all-encompassing partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding, that goes beyond strategic ties.

India and Bangladesh are jointly celebrating Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Victory in Bangladesh Liberation War and 1971 War this year. A host of joint activities have been conducted which include reciprocal ship visits by both Navies and participation in Republic Day Parade 2021 at New Delhi by Bangladesh Armed Forces Contingent and gifting of WAR memorabilia.

During the last quarter of 2021, conduct of talks by Bangladesh War Veterans at Naval War College and Indian Naval Academy and participation of Indian Armed Forces contingent and Band in ‘Victory Day Celebrations’ in Bangladesh are planned.