Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi Meets Sheikh Hasina As India-Bangladesh Aim New Cooperation

Dhaka: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, who is on his first official overseas visit to Bangladesh, called on Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday. During the meeting, which took place on July 2, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh recounted the Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 and appreciated India's contribution to it. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi’s visit to the neighbouring country is aimed to consolidate bilateral defence relations and explore new avenues for naval cooperation.

According to the Navy spokesperson, this was Admiral Tripathi's first official visit abroad since taking the reins of the Indian Navy two months ago. During the visit, Admiral Tripathi apprised the Bangladeshi Prime Minister regarding the progress of ongoing bilateral maritime engagements between the navies of India and Bangladesh, said the Navy spokesperson.

Crucial Meeting Ahead of PM Hasina’s China Visit

In its statement, the Indian Navy stated that the Indian Navy Chief’s 4 days official visit to Bangladesh will conclude on July 4, 2024. Notably, the visit took place before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s trip to China, highlighting its geopolitical significance.

Earlier, PM Hasina had visited India, during which she attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.

Admiral Tripathi, after meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also held discussions with Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy, and other top military officials. He also reviewed the Passing Out Parade at the Bangladesh Naval Academy in Chittagong.

Boost to Energy Connectivity

India's envoy to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, highlighted energy connectivity as a key pillar of the Indo-Bangladesh relationship. Regional electricity trade involving India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan marks a paradigm shift in South Asia’s energy security. Cross-border power transmission is facilitated by India's robust grid and trading platforms.

Signing of Defence Contract

During the visit, signing of a contract between the Bangladesh Navy and India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), was executed for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug. As per information, the contract, valued at approximately $21 million, is part of a $500-million line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh for defence procurement.

India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ Policy

Moreover, emphasis was given on India and Bangladesh's deep historical, linguistic, and cultural ties highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship in regional security and mutual growth. The visit also aligned with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and its strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.