Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Pande, holds meeting with Bangladeshi counterpart, General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, to discuss mutual interests and enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation.

Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Pande, arrived in Bangladesh on a two-day visit, his second as Army Chief. He met with Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, to enhance bilateral defense ties. This visit follows General Pande's first trip to Bangladesh in July last year, soon after assuming his current position. The meetings aimed to strengthen collaboration and address shared security concerns.

"General Manoj Pande #COAS interacted with General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff, #BangladeshArmy & Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, #Bangladesh and discussed aspects of mutual interest," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information stated in a tweet.

During his visit, the Army Chief paid homage to fallen soldiers at Shikha Anirban and received a Guard of Honour at Senakunja. He also planted a tree symbolizing the friendship between the Indian and Bangladeshi armies.

Tomorrow, Gen Pande will review the Passing out Parade of officer cadets of the 84th 'Long Course' at the Bangladesh Military Academy in Chattogram. He will present the 'Bangladesh India Friendship Trophy' to the best foreign cadet from friendly foreign countries, with this year's recipient being officer cadet Everton from Tanzania. This trophy reciprocates the 'Bangladesh Trophy and Medal' instituted at the Indian Military Academy in December 2021.

Furthermore, the Army Chief will review the Passing out Parade at the Indian Military Academy on June 10 and present the Bangladesh Medal and trophy.

Earlier this year, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh visited India and reviewed the passing out parade at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.

Image source: NDTV