Army Staff Chief Manoj Pande begins Bangladesh two-day visit today

General Manoj Pande, the chief of the army staff, arrived in Bangladesh on Monday to begin a two-day visit to examine ways to strengthen defence ties between the two countries, according to the ministry of defence.
The Bangladeshi military’s top brass will be met by the Army Chief during his visit on June 5 and 6. Gen. Pande will evaluate the 84th Long Course officer cadets’ Passing Out Parade (POP) on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA), Chattogram.
“During the parade, 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, this year is being awarded to Officer Cadet Everton of Tanzania,” a statement by the Defence Ministry read.
“This trophy is in reciprocation to the ‘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,” the statement added.
Apart from briefings by senior Bangladesh Military commanders on bilateral cooperation problems, the Army Chief also engages in official meetings with the Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army, and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division.
The COAS had previously travelled to Bangladesh in July 2022; it was his first tour after becoming Army Chief.
The Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh visited India in April of this year and observed the graduating parade at Chennai’s Officers Training Academy. Senior military officials’ frequent visits and bilateral cooperation activities like joint military exercises help to improve military relations between the two countries.