June 30th 2024.
The Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, embarked on a five-day trip to Bangladesh on Sunday with the goal of strengthening the already robust defence relationship between the two countries. This visit comes shortly after the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, visited India and both nations committed to expanding their strategic and defence ties.
This is Admiral Tripathi's first official visit abroad since taking command of the Navy two months ago. During his stay, he is scheduled to hold extensive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, as well as other high-ranking officials from the Bangladeshi military, including the Army and Air Force chiefs. He will also attend the passing-out parade at the Bangladesh Naval Academy in Chittagong on July 4.
In addition to these engagements, the Chief of Naval Staff will also deliver a speech at Bangladesh's National Defence College in Dhaka and visit key defence facilities. The Indian Navy stated that the purpose of this visit is to strengthen the bilateral defence relations between India and Bangladesh and explore new opportunities for naval cooperation.
The navies of India and Bangladesh have a longstanding tradition of strong cooperation, encompassing various areas such as operational interactions, joint naval exercises, and capacity-building programs. This visit by the Navy chief is expected to further strengthen the friendship and partnership between the two navies.
Under India's Neighbourhood First policy, Bangladesh has been an important partner, particularly in the defence and maritime domains. Over the years, the maritime cooperation between the two countries has flourished, with a focus on protecting their shared maritime interests. Both sides recognize the significance of this cooperation and are committed to enhancing their efforts even further.
According to a military planner, Bangladesh has been a natural and valuable partner in India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. He added that the visit of the Navy chief is a testament to the positive trajectory of the naval relationship and a clear indication that both countries are determined to strengthen their bilateral efforts at sea.
The cooperation between the two navies has also played a crucial role in bringing about positive changes in the Indian Ocean region. A few years ago, when Bangladesh was the chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the two nations collaborated to organize the first-ever IONS maritime exercise. This exercise has since grown in size and scope, serving as a platform for formalized standard operating procedures, sharing of best practices, and building trust and interoperability between the two navies.
Moreover, in 2025, the Indian Navy will take over the chairmanship of IONS, leading the way in establishing higher levels of maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean. A military official stated that by working together to address shared challenges, the two navies can contribute to regional security and development, in line with the SAGAR vision. He also emphasized that this partnership serves as an example of how collaborative efforts can yield tangible results.
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