Bangladesh-Australia discuss expanding military cooperation

Discussions have been held between Bangladesh and Australia on further strengthening professional capability, training exchange, technical cooperation and strategic communication between the armed forces of the two countries.

Australian Army Deputy Chief Major General Chris Smith paid a courtesy call on Principal Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister, Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, at the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday, September 27. During this time, various aspects of military cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the meeting discussed the long-standing friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Australia and the current state and future potential of military cooperation.

Emphasis was laid on increasing the professional capability of the land forces of the two countries, mutual participation in military training programmes, technical cooperation and strengthening strategic communication. Discussions were also held on further increasing the mutual participation of the two countries in advanced military training and skill development programmes to tackle the changing challenges of the modern battlefield.

At the meeting, Australia's Deputy Chief of Army praised the professionalism and contribution of the Bangladesh Armed Forces in UN peacekeeping missions. He expressed interest in further increasing the partnership between the two countries in the exchange of training and experience of peacekeepers in maintaining global peace and stability.

The Defence Adviser thanked Major General Chris Smith for the friendly relations between the two countries and the progress of military cooperation. He expressed hope that this visit would further strengthen and deepen the professional relationship between the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Australian Army.