Army Chief General Pande visiting Bangladesh to discuss new avenues in defence cooperation

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande embarked on a significant two-day journey to Bangladesh from June 5 to June 6, 2023.

His visit intends to improve the existing strong defence ties between India and Bangladesh, with meetings scheduled with top military officers there to discuss potential future areas of cooperation.

On June 6, the COAS will participate in the prestigious Passing Out Parade (POP) of officer cadets from the 84th Long Course at the prestigious Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) located in Chattogram. On this occasion, the Army Chief will be presenting the ‘Bangladesh India Friendship Trophy’ instituted for Best Foreign Cadet (from Friendly Foreign Countries) of the Passing Out Course from BMA. The first trophy is being awarded his year to Officer Cadet Everton of Tanzania.

This trophy is in reciprocation to ‘Bangladesh Trophy and Medal’ instituted at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun in December 2021 for Best Foreign Cadet of Passing Out Course. Notably, the Army Chief will be reviewing the POP at IMA, Dehradun on 10 June 2023 and present the Bangladesh Medal & Trophy, India’s Ministry of Defence said on Monday (June 5, 2023).

Later, the Army Chief will also meet with the Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff and the Senior Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division. Senior Bangladeshi military commanders will also inform him on matters relating to bilateral cooperation, further fostering understanding and cooperation.

It is worth noting that General Pande previously visited Bangladesh in July 2022, marking his first foreign visit since assuming the position of Army Chief. In a reciprocal gesture, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh visited India in April this year, where he reviewed the Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.

These frequent visits by top military leaders and the participation in joint military exercises contribute significantly to strengthening military-to-military relations between both nations.