This offers an excellent opportunity for Indian army cadets to familiarize with the training regimen of Bangladeshi military cadets

Charting a newer pathway in their military cooperation, Indian cadets of the Chennai-based Officers Training Academy are visiting Bangladesh Military Academy, Chattogram.

“Further enhancing bonds of friendship as part of cadet exchange programme, cadets of Officers Training Academy, Chennai are visiting Bangladesh Military Academy, Chattogram. Excellent opportunity for cadets to experience firsthand training regimen of their counterparts,” a tweet by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh on Sunday noted.

Last month, Bangladesh Military Academy Cadets visited Officers Training Academy, Chennai from October 10-15 as part of ‘Cadet Exchange Programme’ between India and Bangladesh, the Indian High Commission had said.

The delegation participated in various interactive sessions with Cadets and Instructors of OTA wherein, ideas, techniques and the best practices of Military Training were shared, it had informed.

They were given insight into the training regimen, curriculum and infrastructure of the Academy, the High Commission’s tweet had further said.

Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed had visited India in September this year and held talks with India’s top military brass on boosting cooperation in defence between the two countries.

The Bangladesh Army Chief’s visit to India was a continuation of top-level exchanges between the defence forces of the two countries.

Also, commemorating the 50th year of Bangladesh’s independence, this year for the first time a contingent from the Bangladesh Army had marched in India’s Republic Day parade on January 26.

The two countries have undertaken joint military exercises. In April, an Indian Army contingent had participated in Exercise Shantir Ogroshena 2021 conducted by Bangladesh to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s ‘Father of the nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Earlier, India had extended a $500 Million Line of Credit to Bangladesh for defence purchase from India.

In the year 2020, the two countries witnessed high level exchanges, including the second edition of India-Bangladesh CORPAT ‘Bangosagar’ Exercise on October 3-5, Regional Commanders meeting of Coast Guards on October 19 and the third Annual Defense Dialogue on November 2. The Indian Army gifted trained horses and dogs to the Bangladesh Army in November 2020.

In February, 2021, the Indian Air Chief visited Bangladesh on an official visit.