Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Indian Navy, will embark on an official four-day visit to Bangladesh from July 1 to 4. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral defence relations and explore new avenues for naval cooperation, according to a press release from the Indian Navy.
During his visit, Admiral Tripathi will engage in bilateral discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Bangladesh Navy, in Dhaka. He is also scheduled to review the Passing Out Parade at the Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) in Chittagong on July 4. Additionally, the Indian Navy Chief will meet with senior leaders of the Bangladesh Army and Air Force, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and high-ranking officials of the Bangladesh Government.
Admiral Tripathi’s itinerary includes addressing participants at the National Defence College in Dhaka and visiting key defence facilities in Bangladesh. The visit underscores the traditionally strong naval cooperation between India and Bangladesh, which includes operational interactions such as port calls, bilateral naval exercises, capacity building, capability enhancement, and training initiatives. This visit is expected to further solidify the robust friendship between the two nations’ navies.
India and Bangladesh share deep-rooted bonds of history, language, and culture, which are reflected in their excellent bilateral relations. These ties are built on sovereignty, equality, trust, and understanding, extending far beyond a strategic partnership. The partnership has evolved into a model for bilateral relations in the region and beyond.
In 2023, significant bilateral exchanges in the defence sector took place, with reciprocal visits by the Chiefs of the Indian and Bangladesh Armed Forces. The Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff visited New Delhi from April 27-29, 2023, followed by the Indian Army Chief’s visit to Bangladesh in June 2023, where he presided over the Passing Out Parade at the Bangladesh Military Academy.
Additionally, the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue and 4th Tri-Services Talks were held in Dhaka from August 20-21, 2023, to comprehensively review ongoing defence cooperation. The Bangladesh Chief of Naval Staff visited India from September 12-15, 2023, marking another significant exchange under the framework of defence cooperation.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi’s visit to Bangladesh is expected to further enhance the strong defence ties and explore new dimensions of cooperation between the two nations.