[🇧🇩-Land] Military Cooperation Between Bangladesh and Other Nations

[Saif]

কেন প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা বাড়াতে চায় বাংলাদেশ?

অর্থনৈতিক সক্ষমতা ও জটিল ভূ-রাজনৈতিক পরিস্থিতির কারণে বিভিন্ন দেশের সঙ্গে প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা বৃদ্ধিতে আগ্রহী বাংলাদেশ। গত কয়েক বছরে বেশ কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশ বিভিন্ন প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা চুক্তি বা সমঝোতা স্মারক সই করেছে। আরও কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে আলোচনা চলছে। সামগ্রিকভাবে...

www.banglatribune.com

কেন প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা বাড়াতে চায় বাংলাদেশ?
শেখ শাহরিয়ার জামান
১৪ এপ্রিল ২০২৪, ২৩:৫৯

বাংলাদেশের পতাকা (ছবি: সংগৃহীত)

অর্থনৈতিক সক্ষমতা ও জটিল ভূ-রাজনৈতিক পরিস্থিতির কারণে বিভিন্ন দেশের সঙ্গে প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা বৃদ্ধিতে আগ্রহী বাংলাদেশ। গত কয়েক বছরে বেশ কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশ বিভিন্ন প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা চুক্তি বা সমঝোতা স্মারক সই করেছে। আরও কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে আলোচনা চলছে। সামগ্রিকভাবে জাতীয় স্বার্থকে মাথায় রেখে নিজের প্রতিরক্ষা ব্যবস্থা সাজাতে চায় সরকার।

এ বিষয়ে সাবেক পররাষ্ট্র সচিব ও দিল্লি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের বঙ্গবন্ধু চেয়ার মো. শহীদুল হক বলেন, 'একটি দেশের অর্থনৈতিক সক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধির সঙ্গে সঙ্গে তার প্রতিরক্ষা সক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধি পাবে, এটিই স্বাভাবিক। আগে পুরোপুরি অর্থনৈতিক সক্ষমতা অর্জন এবং পরে প্রতিরক্ষা সক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধি, বিষয়টি এ ধরনের নয়। দুটোই একসঙ্গে হয়ে থাকে।'

উল্লেখ্য, চীন, ভারত, ফ্রান্স, জাপানসহ মধ্যপ্রাচ্যের কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশের প্রতিরক্ষা সমঝোতা রয়েছে। এছাড়া আরও কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে এটি নিয়ে আলোচনা চলছে।

প্রতিরক্ষার উদ্দেশ্য

বাংলাদেশের প্রতিরক্ষা ব্যবস্থা নিজেকে রক্ষা করার জন্য এবং অপরকে আক্রমণ করার উদ্দেশ্যে নয়। তবে প্রতিরক্ষা নীতির অন্যতম উদ্দেশ্য হচ্ছে কেউ শক্তি প্রয়োগ করলে বাংলাদেশ সেটি প্রতিহত করবে।

মো. শহীদুল হক বলেন, 'আমাদের নীতি হচ্ছে—ডিফেন্সিভ ডিফেন্স (রক্ষার জন্য প্রতিরক্ষা)। দেশের সার্বভৌমত্ব, সম্পদ ও মানুষের মঙ্গলের জন্য, রক্ষার জন্য প্রতিরক্ষা নীতি এবং বাংলাদেশ সবসময় নিজেদের উন্নয়নের জন্য রক্ষার জন্য প্রতিরক্ষা নীতি অবলম্বন করেছে।'

কোন কোন দেশে আগ্রহ

অনেক আগে থেকেই চীনের সঙ্গে প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা বজায় রেখেছে বাংলাদেশ। পরবর্তীতে ভারতের সঙ্গে প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা সমঝোতা স্মারক সই হয়। এরপর আরও কয়েকটি দেশের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশ প্রতিরক্ষা সমঝোতা করেছে।

সম্প্রতি উন্নত বিশ্বের ফ্রান্স ও জাপানের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশ প্রতিরক্ষা সমঝোতা স্মারক করেছে। এর আগে মধ্যপ্রাচ্যের কুয়েত, কাতার ও সৌদি আরবের সামরিক বাহিনীর সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশের বাহিনীর সমঝোতা রয়েছে।

সম্পাদিত চুক্তির বাইরে ইতালি, যুক্তরাষ্ট্র, যুক্তরাজ্য, নেদারল্যান্ডস, থাইল্যান্ড, তুরস্ক, ব্রাজিলের সঙ্গে প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা নিয়ে আলোচনা চলছে।

এ বিষয়ে মো. শহীদুল হক বলেন, আমাদের নিজেদের প্রয়োজনেই প্রতিরক্ষা সক্ষমতা বাড়াতে হবে। এখানে অন্য দেশগুলো তাদের প্রয়োজনে বাংলাদেশকে সহায়তা করবে বা দেবে।

প্রতিরক্ষা সমঝোতাতে সাধারণত যেসব প্রশিক্ষণ, যৌথ মহড়া, তথ্য আদান-প্রদান, সক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধি, প্রতিনিধিদল আদান-প্রদানসহ অন্যান্য বিষয় সংযুক্ত থাকে।

এ বিষয়ে শহীদুল হক বলেন, যতক্ষণ পর্যন্ত আমরা কোনও বৃহৎ শক্তির জোটে যুক্ত না হচ্ছি, এ ধরনের সহযোগিতার কারণে সমস্যা হওয়ার তেমন কোনও কারণ নেই।​

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/government-affairs/344320/more-countries-seek-defense-deals-with-bangladesh

More countries seek defence deals with Bangladesh
'Securing maritime space is area of concern'
Most of purchases made from Turkey
19 defence MoUs with 10 countries since 1971

The undated image shows some Army men patrolling on a street in Dhaka. Photo: Dhaka Tribune
Nurul Islam HasibNurul Islam Hasib
Publish : 18 Apr 2024, 09:31 PMUpdate : 18 Apr 2024, 09:31 PM

Global as well as regional powers are seeking more defense engagements with Bangladesh now than before.

Data shows that 27 defence-related Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) remained pending with 10 countries, including India, China, Russia, and the US.

However, Bangladesh has signed only 19 defence MoUs with 10 countries since its birth in 1971.

"This gives an idea that global and regional powers want to have some sort of defence cooperation with Bangladesh," Research Fellow of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) ASM Tarek Hassan Semul said on Thursday while addressing a seminar on defence diplomacy in Bangladesh.

The BIISS organized the seminar with Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed as the chief guest.

Tarek Hassan Semul said that since independence, Bangladesh has signed five MoUs with India and three with Turkey. Besides, there are two each with France, Qatar, and Russia, and one each with China, Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.

Besides, 27 MoUs remained pending with 10 countries. Of them, six are with India, five with Russia, three each with the United States, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, two each with the United Kingdom and China, and one each with Australia, France, and Japan, he said.

Besides, he said that since 2010, military and security dialogue and multilateral exercises have been expanded.

The multilateral training exercise includes Indo-Pacific Endeavour with Australia, Shantir Ogroshena and Sampriti with India, Shimanto Prohori, Shomudro Torongo, Ex Thunder Fist, Bangladesh-US-UK Special Forces joint exercise with the UK, exercise balance Buffalo, Cope South Cooperation, Exercise Tiger Circ, Tiger Lightning training exercise, second joint combined exchange training, disaster response exercise, and Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training with the US.

He said Bangladesh has also diversified its source of defence purchases since 2018.

All the purchases were needed for enhancing defence capabilities, and many of them are pertinent to the UN peacekeeping mission, he said.

Most of the purchases were made from Turkiye. The items include Otokar Kobra II infantry mobility vehicles (IMVs) and mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, Otokar Kobra I light armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs), RN-94 armoured ambulances, TRG-300 Tiger MLRS, TRG-230 surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs), Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs, the Oerlikon Skyguard radar system, ground surveillance radars, and a portable jammer.

China was the second-largest source after Turkey. Bangladesh bought light tanks, the Surface to Air Missile (SAM) System, frigates, and various types of Chinese missiles and accessories from China.

Besides, Bangladesh bought Air Defence Radar System from France, Primary Trainer aircraft from Germany, Fixed Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from Italy, Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) from Singapore, Semi-Automatic Grenade Launcher (SAGL) from South Africa, Fixed Wing Medium Utility Aircraft from Spain, and MK-5 aircraft from the UK.

The BIISS researcher said Bangladesh has managed to develop interest among major regional and global partners with its 'friendship to all, malice towards none' policy, but concerns remain.

Those concerns include how to strike a balance between all the major powers, how much strategic autonomy we can get out of this polarisation worldwide, and the fact that there is always the possibility of regional conflict and militarization ongoing in the Indo-Pacific region.

Besides, he said, securing maritime space is also an area of concern since we have oil and gas reserves in the sea and we want to harness the blue economy.​

 

[Saif]

India on alert as China-Bangladesh military cooperation raises strategic concerns

Dhaka has gradually leaned towards Beijing and acquired fighter jets, tanks and submarines, marking a shift in the geopolitical landscape

www.indiatoday.in

India on alert as China-Bangladesh military cooperation raises strategic concerns
Dhaka has gradually leaned towards Beijing and acquired fighter jets, tanks and submarines, marking a shift in the geopolitical landscape

Pradip R. Sagar
UPDATED: May 11, 2024 20:22 IST
Edited By: Ashish Mukherjee

In the first week of February, national security advisor Ajit Doval made a quiet visit to Bangladesh, the first high-level trip from India after prime minister Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, won a fourth consecutive term in the 12th parliamentary elections. Doval expressed concern over the increasing number of Myanmar soldiers, who owe allegiance to the country's junta, seeking refuge in India. It is estimated that over 700 troopers have crossed into India since November last year after being defeated by the Arakan Army and resistance allies. Of them, some 300 entered the country this January.

Now, India's foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra is in Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral ties. In the past three months (since Doval's visit), things have changed fast between the two countries. Bangladesh was born with India's support but gradually leaned towards expansionist China. In the recent past, Beijing has supplied Dhaka's military fighter jets, tanks and submarines.

Of late, the biggest concern in the Indian strategic fraternity is the maiden joint training of the Chinese and Bangladeshi armies. People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops are travelling to Bangladesh, where they are scheduled to carry out drills at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Rupganj, Narayanganj, near Dhaka.

Chinese military activity in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh are closely monitored by experts in New Delhi due to their potential impact on the geopolitical landscape. The increasing presence and engagements of the Chinese military in the region raise concerns about Beijing's intentions and its influence in India's immediate neighbourhood. This dynamic underscores the importance of India remaining vigilant and proactive in managing its strategic interests in the region.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, the joint exercise, codenamed 'China-Bangladesh Golden Friendship 2024', takes UN peacekeeping counter-terrorism operations as the scenario, and the two militaries will conduct joint training in mixed groups on subjects including bus anti-hijacking and elimination of terrorist camps.

The Chinese spokesperson added that the exercise was the first joint training ever between the Chinese and Bangladeshi armies, noting that such activity was conducive to enhancing understanding and friendship between the two militaries and deepening practical exchanges and cooperation.

Experts in New Delhi are watching all of this carefully as it signals a shifting geopolitical landscape. Some feel Chinese military activity in India's close neighbourhood should raise concerns.

In recent years, China's footprint in Bangladesh has grown significantly. Dhaka has become China's second biggest defence customer, after Pakistan. Bangladesh has acquired sizeable military hardware from Beijing in recent years, including corvettes, naval guns, anti-ship missiles and surface-to-air missile systems.

Last year, Bangladesh prime minister Hasina inaugurated the China-built $1.2 billion six-slot submarine base, named BNS Sheikh Hasina, at Pekua in Cox's Bazar. The Pekua Naval Base, about 200 miles southeast of Dhaka, houses two refurbished Chinese submarines and was built to increase Bangladesh's naval capacity after the demarcation of its maritime boundary with India and Myanmar.

This submarine base in the Bay of Bengal is a concern for New Delhi from the standpoint of India's economic, security and foreign policy interests. A military strategist maintained that the presence of a Chinese-built submarine base in India's backyard could disrupt the regional balance of power and complicate the tense geopolitical situation in the Bay of Bengal.

In November 2016, Bangladesh took the delivery of two China-made retrofitted Ming-class Type O35B diesel-electric submarines worth $203 million. The same year, the country joined the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has invested over $25 billion in various projects in Bangladesh, the highest after Pakistan in South Asia. The Awami League government reportedly prioritised multiple projects, including construction of power plants, railway lines, roads, a river tunnel, modernisation of ports, and development of information and communication technologies.

Defence cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing has deepened over the past few years with Bangladeshi military personnel being sent to the PLA's institute for training.

The US Department of Defense, in a report, highlighted China's growing influence in the region. It stated that China is a supplier of major naval vessels, as highlighted by Pakistan's 2015 purchase of eight Yuan-class submarines for more than $3 billion. Thailand also purchased a Yuan-class submarine in 2017 and is interested in purchasing two more.

As of April 2022, China had not delivered any Yuan submarine, although it had delivered two Ming-class submarines to Bangladesh in 2016 and one to Myanmar in 2021. In 2017-18, China sold two frigates to Bangladesh and four to Pakistan, respectively. In September 2019, China made its first-ever sale of a landing platform dock ship to Thailand.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/bn/zuktrashtre-sfr-seshe-dese-firechen-senabahinee-prdhan

যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে সফর শেষে দেশে ফিরেছেন সেনাবাহিনী প্রধান
এফই অনলাইন ডেস্ক
Published :
May 20, 2024 21:01
Updated :
May 20, 2024 21:01

যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের হাওয়াই অঙ্গরাজ্যে গত ১৪-১৬ মে ২০২৪ পর্যন্ত অনুষ্ঠিত দ্যা ল্যান্ড ফোর্সেস প্যাসিফিক (LANPAC) সিম্পোজিয়াম এবং এক্সপোজিশন-২০২৪ শেষে রবিবার (১৯ মে) দেশে ফিরেছেন সেনাবাহিনী প্রধান জেনারেল এস এম শফিউদ্দিন আহমেদ, এসবিপি (বার), ওএসপি, এনডিইউ, পিএসসি, পিএইচডি।

এই সম্মেলনে বিভিন্ন দেশের সেনাপ্রধান ও ঊর্ধ্বতন সামরিক কর্মকর্তাগণ মহাকাশ হুমকি মোকাবিলা, স্থল বাহিনীকে ভবিষ্যৎ অপারেশনের জন্য প্রস্তুতকরণ, সংঘাতপূর্ণ সমস্যাসমূহ মোকাবিলা, যৌথ প্রশিক্ষণ এবং স্থল বাহিনীর আধুনিকায়নে দীর্ঘমেয়াদি পরিকল্পনার বিষয়ে আলোচনা করেন।

LANPAC সিম্পোজিয়াম এবং এক্সপোজিশন-২০২৪ এ যোগদানের পাশাপাশি বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী প্রধান যুক্তরাষ্ট্র, যুক্তরাজ্য, ফ্রান্স ও অস্ট্রেলিয়ার বাহিনী প্রধানসহ বিভিন্ন দেশর সেনাপ্রধান ও অন্যান্য উচ্চপদস্থ সামরিক কর্মকর্তাদের সাথে দ্বিপাক্ষিক বৈঠকে অংশগ্রহণ করেন। সাক্ষাতকালে তাঁরা ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিক অঞ্চলের স্থল বাহিনীগুলোর মধ্যে সম্পর্ক উন্নয়নের মাধ্যমে পারস্পরিক আস্থার পরিবেশ সৃষ্টি, পেশাদার সম্পর্ক উন্নয়ন ও আঞ্চলিক নিরাপত্তা ব্যবস্থা জোরদার করাসহ বিভিন্ন বিষয়ে আলোচনা করেন।

উল্লেখ্য, বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী প্রধান President & CEO, Association of the United States Army (AUSA) এর আমন্ত্রণে সরকারি সফরে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে গমন করেছিলেন।​

 

[Saif]

Three critical weapons systems bought from Turkey. The video is in Bengali.

 

[Saif]

বাংলাদেশের সশস্ত্র বাহিনীর আধুনিকায়নে কাজ করতে চায় ইতালি

 

[Saif]

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/bangladesh-seeks-new-supply-of-ammo-from-pakistan/

Bangladesh seeks new supply of ammo from Pakistan
Numbers far greater than before
Ajay Banerjee
Updated At : 09:03 AM Aug 25, 2024 IST

Muhammad Yunus. Reuters file photo

New Delhi, August 24

Just three weeks after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and a new interim government was installed, Dhaka has ordered for fresh supply of artillery ammunition from Pakistan.

Sources in the security establishment said the Indian Government had been informed of the development and added that the order from Bangladesh was for thousands of rounds of ammunition to be delivered in three tranches, starting September.

The order was placed just days after Hasina quit. This is not the first time that Pakistan is supplying ammunition to Bangladesh. However, the numbers are far greater than usual. The ammunition is to be used in artillery guns that can fire at targets between 30 kms and 35 km.

Bangladesh is surrounded on three sides by India and on its fourth side is the Bay of Bengal, often forcing New Delhi to question, where Bangladesh army intends to use the ammunition. On its part, the export division of the Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) board has sent out the list of order to all its factories for ramping up production.

The details of military exports to Bangladesh from Pakistan are mentioned in a letter sent from POF to Managing Directors of various divisions at Havelian, Sanjwal and Gadwal. The export is to be carried out in three shipments starting 1st week of September and ending in December.

This includes more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition, 40 tonnes of RDX in wax consistency for explosives and projectiles of high intensity, 2900 in number. The previous order in early 2023 was for 12,000 rounds of ammunition.

The Indian security agencies opine that the protests in Bangladesh leading to ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina on August 5 were supported by Jamaat-e-Islami in conjunction with Pakistan and Chinese intelligence agencies.

The role of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, in converting protests over quotas into efforts to establish a regime favourable to Pakistan and China, undermining the previously installed Awami League government, has not been ruled out in the information provided by security agencies to the Indian Government.​

 

[Saif]

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/361833/bangladesh-seeks-more-defence-cooperation-from

Bangladesh seeks more defence cooperation from China
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain also sought China's support for resolving the Rohingya crisis
Nurul Islam HasibNurul Islam Hasib
Publish : 14 Oct 2024, 04:40 PMUpdate : 14 Oct 2024, 04:40 PM

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has sought more defence sector cooperation from Beijing, saying Chinese training has increased Bangladesh's UN peacekeeping capabilities.

"We have very important defence cooperation between China and Bangladesh. China is a major supplier of our defence equipment. And the modernization of our military services that we are looking forward to, I think we need a lot of cooperation in this respect from China," he said while speaking at a seminar on Bangladesh-China relations Monday.

Another area he mentioned is cooperation in personnel training.

"We have very deep defence training cooperation and this needs to continue and be enhanced, if possible," the adviser said, adding: "Cooperation with China also increased our capability in participation in UN peacekeeping operations which are important for our country."

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and experts from both sides spoke at the seminar organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in collaboration with the Centre for China Studies, DU.

The foreign adviser said that it is likely that the post-revolution trajectory of Bangladesh and its future relations with China might be influenced by various factors, including Bangladesh's political stability as well as the changing dynamics of regional and global politics.

Rohingya crisis

The adviser also sought China's support for resolving the Rohingya crisis. He particularly mentioned Chinese influence in Myanmar while seeking Beijing's "active role" in this regard.

"We know China has been cooperating with us for their return. The only solution to the problem is their return to their homeland. There is also a tripartite mechanism. We all know China has a lot of influence in Myanmar. Let us accept the realities. We look forward to China's more active role in their return," he said.​

 

[Bilal9]

Chinese naval fleet makes historic visit to Bangladesh​

The visit holds significant importance for deepening China-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation
https://www.dhakatribune.com/361672


Photo: Courtesy
Nurul Islam Hasib
Publish : 12 Oct 2024, 08:04 PM
Update : 12 Oct 2024, 08:04 PM
Chinese naval fleet Qi Jiguang and Jing Gangshan arrived at Chittagong Port on Saturday, starting a goodwill visit to Bangladesh.

Yao Wen, ambassador of China to Bangladesh, welcomed the training fleet at the Port.

This visit marks the first occasion in four years since the Chinese naval fleet last visited Bangladesh, and it is the first foreign naval fleet to visit since the establishment of Bangladesh interim government, the Chinese Embassy said.

Diplomats from the Chinese Embassy, representatives from enterprises and Confucius Institute, and overseas Chinese, attended the welcoming ceremony.

“The visit holds significant importance for deepening China-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation,” the embassy said.

Ambassador Yao Wen said that China and Bangladesh are traditionally friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners.

“No matter what changes have taken place in the domestic situation of Bangladesh, China’s commitment to develop China-Bangladesh relations remains unchanged,” he reiterated.

The Chinese PLAN Task Group 83 berthed at Chittagong Port in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The Chinese waved the national flags of China and Bangladesh with great enthusiasm, extended high tribute to the Chinese Navy, and wished for a long live China-Bangladesh friendship.

During the fleet’s four-day goodwill visit, a series of events will take place, including bilateral meetings, ship open days, and deck reception, to enhance China and Bangladesh Navy cooperation and mutual trust, and contribute to the building of a maritime community of shared future, the embassy said.

The ambassador and the commanders of the Chinese naval fleet called on Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal, Commander of the Chattogram Naval Area, Rear Admiral Md Moinul Hassan, Commander of the Bangladesh Navy Fleet, and Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority.

The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation.

Both parties conveyed their strong confidence in the development of China-Bangladesh relations, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening defense and security cooperation.

“China is looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh to cement our traditional friendship, deepen friendly exchanges and mutually-beneficial cooperation in various areas, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and further advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new height,” the embassy said.

 

[Saif]

Visa facilitation, defence ties stressed in army chief's meetings with Canadian side

Bangladesh and Canada have discussed ways to explore new horizons for enhancing the bilateral relationship in multifarious aspects

www.thedailystar.net

Visa facilitation, defence ties stressed in army chief's meetings with Canadian side

Photo: Courtesy/UNB

Bangladesh and Canada have discussed ways to explore new horizons for enhancing the bilateral relationship in multifarious aspects.

Bangladesh highlighted the importance of "facilitating and expediting" student visas for Bangladeshi students as well as visas for both serving and former military officials.

The discussions also paved the way for "enhanced" defence cooperation, particularly in expanding training exchanges between military institutions.

The issues were discussed during Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh General Waker-Uz-Zaman's visit to Canada.

He was received by Ajit Singh, director of the Privy Council Office of Canada and High Commissioner-designate of Canada to Bangladesh, upon his arrival in Ottawa on October 23.

Both the army chief and the high commissioner-designate discussed addressing visa-related issues for all Bangladeshi citizens.

During the visit, the army chief met with Lieutenant-General Stephen R Kelsey, vice chief of the Defence Staff of Canada, and Salma Zahid, vice-chair of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group and Member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, in Ottawa.

Salma Zahid met with Waker-Uz-Zaman on October 23 and discussed areas of mutual interests.

In particular, the army chief highlighted the importance of facilitating and expediting student visas for Bangladeshis as well as visas for both serving and former military officials.

He highlighted the interim government's priority of youth development and sought Canada's assistance in this regard by facilitating more student visas citing the mutual benefits for both the countries.

Salma Zahid acknowledged the challenges in this regard due to Canada's existing housing shortage.

She encouraged Bangladeshi students to apply to designated institutions in Canada for expeditious visa processing and reaffirmed her commitment to finding solutions to address the current limitations on foreign student admissions.

The exploration of joint collaboration in educational exchange programmes and the potential signing of an MoU between Canadian and Bangladeshi universities were also discussed.

In addition, they discussed opportunities for cooperation in agriculture and infrastructure development.

In a separate meeting with Lieutenant-General Kelsey, Waker-Uz-Zaman advocated for streamlining visa processing for both serving and retired Bangladeshi military personnel.

He emphasised the need for a systematic approach for visa issuance and proposed to address individual cases if there are queries through bilateral consultations without generalising or stereotyping, according to the Bangladesh High Commission in Canada.​

 

[Saif]

ঢাকায় সামরিক সফরে মার্কিন প্রতিনিধিদল

 

[Saif]

Deputy Commander of US Indo-Pacific calls on army chief

A delegation led by deputy commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Lt Gen Joshua M Rudd yesterday paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-Uz-Zaman at Army Headquarters

www.thedailystar.net

Deputy Commander of US Indo-Pacific calls on army chief

Photo: BSS

A delegation led by deputy commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Lt Gen Joshua M Rudd yesterday paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-Uz-Zaman at Army Headquarters.

During the meeting, they discussed the existing good relations between the two countries and various issues of cooperation for future progress, said an ISPR release.

The army chief also thanked Joshua for meeting with him.​

 

[Saif]

Pakistan-Bangladesh Ties Soar as Arms Trade Gains Momentum

 

[Saif]

Trump 2.0 and the future of Bangladesh-US defence relations

The Bay of Bengal holds a great strategic value as about half of the world's container traffic passes through this region, and its seaports handle around one-third of world trade.

www.thedailystar.net

Trump 2.0 and the future of Bangladesh-US defence relations

Former US President and President-elect Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with China's President Xi Jinping during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan on June 29, 2019. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Two months away from his second inauguration, Donald Trump aspires to be more protectionist to "Make America Great Again" this time. In his previous term, Trump declared the Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2019, citing this region as "the single most consequential region for America's future."

With the recent change in the administration in Bangladesh and the upcoming change in the United States, there is a growing need for reassessing the Bangladesh-US defence relations from a critical perspective. In the forthcoming years, the Indo-Pacific Strategy will be a key cornerstone for the US in engaging with Indo-Pacific nations. Hence, it has become imperative to look into and analyse what kind of defence ties may evolve between the two countries and why Bangladesh may face a dilemma while hedging between the US and China to maintain the ties under the second Trump presidency.

Before deep-diving into the defence dynamics, we must take a look at why Bangladesh is an inevitable player for the global powers in the region. Regarding the Indo-Pacific geopolitics, Bangladesh is deemed a strategic linchpin due to its crucial location that connects South Asia with Southeast Asia. Its geographic location in the heart of the Bay of Bengal region has turned it from a mere regional player to a vital strategic partner for major global powers—the US, the United Kingdom and Japan.

The Bay of Bengal holds a great strategic value as about half of the world's container traffic passes through this region, and its seaports handle around one-third of world trade. It is a major part of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which sees 80 percent of the global maritime oil shipments. A pronounced control over 118,813 square kilometres of the Bay, decisively affirmed through the rulings by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), complements the significance accorded to Bangladesh as an inevitable player in the region.

Bangladesh's Indo-Pacific Outlook, unveiled in April 2023, echoes the country's nuanced approach to regional politics. The country champions an all-inclusive approach, accentuating regional cooperation and stability over strategic competition. Bangladesh is also projected to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2040, sitting at the intersection of major global markets with massive potential. Yet, per the World Bank data, it loses $1 billion annually due to tropical cyclones alone, and may lose one-third of its agricultural GDP by 2050 due to the impacts of climate change.

However, in the context of US-China rivalry in the region, the second Trump administration is expected to be more assertive. Analysts argue that among other issues, keeping China under pressure in the Indo-Pacific region will be one of the core geopolitical goals of Trump. In this respect, while evading the conflicts, Bangladesh must be cautious in stepping forward if it wants to exploit the geopolitical gains.

For five decades, Bangladesh and the US have enjoyed unfeigned defence relations and worked on a wide array of security issues, including maritime security, border security, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, defence purchase, and defence capability building. In recent times, the countries have developed a trustworthy relationship that is founded on shared values regarding a free and open Indo-Pacific. According to the US Department of State, Bangladesh has received $78.45 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and $14.5 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance since 2014. With the US's assistance, Bangladesh has acquired patrol boats for its army, navy and coast guard, as well as mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles for international peacekeeping missions. In two phases, Bangladesh received 50 MRAPs under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme in 2019 to provide additional safety to its peacekeeping troops in Mali. Additionally, the US Army delivered 46 additional MRAPs with 11 mine rollers to Bangladesh in 2021.

Bangladesh also received two Hamilton-class cutters previously owned by the US Coast Guard under the EDA programme in 2013 and 2015. These naval assets are playing a crucial role in providing security to Bangladesh's maritime territory and ensuring safe passage for foreign vessels. In FY2021, the US approved the permanent export of over $14 million in defence articles to Bangladesh under the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) mechanism. The items include aircraft, assault rifles, military electronics, ground vehicles, and fire control, laser, imaging and guidance equipment for the military.

Under the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), the US has contributed nearly $44 million since 2005 to support training and equipment upgrades to improve Bangladesh's peacekeeping capabilities. Besides, the countries have been participating in security dialogues and joint exercises like Exercise Tiger Shark, CARAT, Exercise Shanti Doot, and Exercise Pacific Angel for years. These joint initiatives aim to expand partnerships in humanitarian and security aspects between the two countries and the region.

Despite numerous sectors of cooperation between Bangladesh and the US, there have been concerns regarding the former country's state of democracy and human rights during the Sheikh Hasina regime. However, Bangladesh has embarked on a new journey towards democracy and prosperity following the fall of the Hasina regime as the result of a student-led mass uprising in July 2024.

Conversely, the change in the US administration may corner Bangladesh to limit its military ties with China, which supplies most of its defence equipment. During Trump's first tenure, the US tried to use defence diplomacy to "woo" Bangladesh away from China. The US Secretary of Defence at the time, Mark Esper phoned former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, proposing to help modernise Bangladesh's military by 2030. The US offered Apache attack helicopters and missiles during that time. However, no major arms sales deal was formalised during Trump's first tenure. Bangladesh abandoned arms purchases from the US due to its stringent policies attached to arms use under the ACSA and GSOMIA agreements.

There is a strong possibility of the revival of talks between the two countries during the second Trump presidency, possibly including the signing of these agreements. However, Bangladesh may not opt for expensive US defence equipment to avoid increasing the burden on its plunging foreign exchange reserves.

The acquisition of two Hamilton-class cutters in 2013 and 2015 and the authorisation of over $14 million in defence articles to Bangladesh through DCS in FY2021 demonstrates the US's commitment to the military modernisation of Bangladesh. Yet, in the context of Indo-Pacific geopolitics, this defence rapport is palpable to be more complex in the coming days. Bangladesh's strategic hedging between the US and China has become increasingly precarious. Its hefty reliance on Chinese military equipment could be a ground of contention with the Trump administration, which is likely to be confrontational against China this time.

However, the success of future defence relations will widely depend on how these countries manage the competing priorities. For Bangladesh, upholding strategic autonomy while benefiting from US military cooperation without alienating China is going to be an arduous challenge. For the US, on the other hand, the challenge lies in offering attractive defence partnerships that acknowledge Bangladesh's strategic concerns and economic constraints.

Kawsar Uddin Mahmud is a researcher at KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA).

Md Sakib Hossain is political and international relations analyst.​