India and Bangladesh share the historical legacy of cooperation and support during the 1971 Liberation War
Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed has arrived in India on a three-day visit to explore new avenues for enhancing India-Bangladesh defence relations. During the visit from April 27 to 29, 2023, he will hold discussions with India's senior military and civilian leadership.

Beginning the visit, General Shafiuddin Ahmed paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the Indian Armed Forces by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He was then accorded a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns following which he met with Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande.

"The Army Chiefs discussed various issues pertaining to enhancing and strengthening interoperability, training, anti-terrorism collaboration and overall bilateral cooperation as part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations," the Ministry of Defence said.

An 'Implementing Arrangement' for UN Peacekeeping Operations and Training Cooperation was signed between the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping, India, and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training, Bangladesh, in the presence of both the Army Chiefs.

General Ahmed also called on other important dignitaries during his visit, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal AP Singh in addition to Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

He was briefed on the Indian indigenous defence equipment manufacturing eco-system by the Department of Defence Production and the Army Design Bureau. The visiting Bangladesh Army Chief will review the Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai on April 29, 2023, and visit the Officers Training Academy Museum to interact with the cadets of the passing out course.

India and Bangladesh share the historical legacy of cooperation and support during the Liberation War of 1971, the Ministry of Defence pointed out.

The active engagement on the defence side includes high-level exchanges at the level of Service Chiefs, conduct of the inaugural Annual Defence Dialogues by the Defence Secretaries, Tri-services and Service-specific Staff Talks. Exchange visits of Bangladesh Mukti Jodhas and Indian war veterans take place every year in December to mark the Victory Day celebrations in Dhaka and Kolkata.