Bangladesh, Canada seek to strengthen defence ties

Bangladesh and Canada have highlighted opportunities to strengthen institutional engagement and explore new avenues for defence cooperation in support of regional peace, security and stability.

High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Ajit Singh and Trade Commissioner Kamal Uddin met with Bangladesh’s Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) on August 17 and discussed the issues of mutual interest.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Bangladesh-Canada defence relations, ongoing cooperation with the Bangladesh Armed Forces, and opportunities to further strengthen practical government-to-government engagement in training, capacity building, aerospace, defence technology, and industrial development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions also touched on Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, and Bangladesh’s important contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.

The High Commissioner also thanked the Bangladesh Armed Forces for the critical role they played in ensuring stability and facilitating a peaceful transition to democracy in Bangladesh over the last two years.

Canada remains committed to deepening its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh and working with Bangladesh’s Armed Forces and security agencies to advance practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said. -UNB