In a significant step towards strengthening defense relations, Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh’s Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S.M. Kamrul Hassan, met with Pakistan’s Defence Secretary, retired Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali, in Rawalpindi. The discussions primarily revolved around expanding the bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries across all domains.
During the meeting, Defence Secretary Muhammad Ali emphasized Pakistan’s strong commitment to its relationship with Bangladesh, underscoring the importance of fostering robust military ties. He reiterated that Pakistan greatly values the growing partnership with Bangladesh and seeks to build on this foundation.
Lieutenant General Kamrul Hassan, who was on a rare official visit to Pakistan, expressed Bangladesh’s desire for a future of dynamic cooperation between the two nations. He highlighted the potential for greater collaboration in areas that would benefit both countries strategically and economically. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing defense cooperation and pledged to work towards enhancing it further in the coming years.
The visit, which took place on Tuesday, saw Lt-Gen Kamrul Hassan meeting with top Pakistani military leaders, including Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. Their discussions centered on regional security issues, the evolving security landscape, and methods to fortify military and defense ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The recent thaw in relations between the two countries has been marked by increased diplomatic and military engagements. Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh were particularly strained during the 15-year rule of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, since her ouster in August, both nations have made strides towards improving bilateral ties, with military cooperation being a focal point of this renewed engagement.
Lt-Gen Hassan also commended Pakistan’s military for its professionalism, particularly in combating terrorism, and acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces. This visit is seen as an important step towards establishing a more resilient defense partnership that can contribute to regional peace and stability.
