News Highlight
The fourth India and Bangladesh annual defence dialogue was held recently, India and Bangladesh sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- The dialogue was cochaired by the Defence Secretary of India and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) of Bangladesh.
- The talks covered the existing bilateral exercises and training and agreed to increase the complexity of these exercises.
- Both sides emphasised the need to work closely to implement India’s $500 million line of credit for defence items.
India-Bangladesh defence and strategic relations.
- Bangladesh and India Defence Pact:
- India has proposed a long-term comprehensive defence pact with Bangladesh that encompasses training, sale of military hardware and a wide range of military-to-military cooperation.
- Joint military exercises:
- Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavor between two nations hosted alternately by both countries.
- The exercise aimed to strengthen military relations between the two countries.
- Northeast of India:
- Bangladesh has in the past aided India in fighting Northeast insurgent groups
- For example, Bangladesh has been able to neutralise the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) groups and keep the cross-border terror in check.
- Bridge to South East Asia:
- Bangladesh is the gateway to India’s initiative in the Act East Policy.
- The objective of “Act East Policy” is to promote economic cooperation and cultural ties and to develop a strategic relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Balancing China:
- Bangladesh is an ally against Chinese expansionism in the subcontinent.
- For example, they have shown interest in joining the QUAD group negotiations in 2021.
- The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States that is maintained by talks between member countries.
- Fighting cross -border crimes:
- Both nations have collaborated in fighting human and drug trafficking and the illegal wildlife trade.
- The Golden Triangle is an opium-producing area of Southeast Asia, comprising parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
- The cooperation with the Bnagadesh is important.
Pic Courtesy: News on Air
Content Source: The Hindu