Upgraded defence cooperation agreement likely during Hasina’s India visit

New Delhi: Keeping China’s growing engagement with Bangladesh in view, India is pushing for a  framework agreement on joint defence production during the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi.

China has recently begun expediting several key defence projects, including building an ultra- modern submarine base, the BNS Sheikh Hasina, in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar. Beijing has already delivered two submarines to the Bangladesh Navy in its desperate bid to expand its footprints in the Indian sub-continent.

Prior to this, the ground work for an upgraded bilateral defence cooperation agreement was finalised during in the 4^th India-Bangladesh Annual Defence Dialogue, co- chaired by India’s Defence secretary Ajay Kumar and the Bangladesh Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lt General Wakar-Uz-Zaman in New Delhi on August 11. A proposal for joint defence production was discussed at the meeting. It will be for the first time that India and Bangladesh may join hands for production of defence hardware and equipment.

During PM Hasina’s visit to India in 2017, the two counties had signed a MOU on the framework for defence cooperation which is likely to be upgraded during her visit next month. A government source said joint production of defence material in the Special Economic Zone was discussed. India is keen to work with Bangladesh for platforms like the Indian (surface to air) missile Akash, radar, mortars, light combat aircraft, helicopters, torpedoes and armoured vehicles.

According to a press release from the Indian Ministry of Defence ministry, “the Indian Defence Secretary stated that in in the domain of defence industry, both countries have great potential of cooperation in defence trade, co- development and joint production.” It also said, “the Armed forces of both countries continue to seek bilateral cooperation in multiple fields and the increased engagements are a positive sign for the future of the relations of both countries.”

The Indian defence secretary invited his Bangladeshi counterpart for the upcoming Def-Expo 2022, which is scheduled to be held in October in Gandhinagar in Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the multi- national defence production forum for further engagements. Lt General Wakar-Uz –Zaman accepted the proposal and agreed to hold detailed discussions for further cooperation.

Various aspects of defence industrial and capability building cooperation came up for detailed discussions during the recent meeting. Both sides emphasised the need to work closely to implement the USD 500 million line of credit extended by India for defence procurement.

“Bangladesh has agreed to send the list of items as soon as possible,” the defence ministry release stated. During the interaction, they reviewed ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries and expressed satisfaction that collaboration is growing despite difficulties imposed by COVID-19.

The 2^nd India-Bangladesh Tri- service staff talks (TSST) were held on August 10 in New Delhi, a day ahead of the defence secretary level discussions. The meeting was co-chaired by the Indian Deputy Chief of Integrated staff Headquarters, Brigadier Vivek Narang and the Director General Operations and plans Directorate of the Bangladesh Armed forces, Brigadier Hussain Muhammad. The discussions focused on the “ongoing and new initiatives taken under the ambit of existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism of all three services and further strengthening the bilateral defence engagements,” an official statement said. “This forum has been established to boost defence cooperation between the two countries through regular dialogue and engagement.” (IANS)