SP's LandForces

CHINA AND BANGLADESH STRENGTHEN DEFENCE COOPERATIO­N

-

The Chinese and Bangladesh­i Defence Ministries have signed a series of agreements to help enhance Bangladesh’s defence capabiliti­es. Signed with the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Bangladesh University of Profession­als (BUP) during a ceremony at Dhaka Cantonment, the four agreements will see China provide military support, including training and logistics, to the Bangladesh­i Army, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. In addition, they cover the provision of assistance for the establishm­ent of a language laboratory at BUP, which is run by the country’s armed forces. Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman General Xu Qiliang, who led a 21-member delegation to the ceremony, was quoted by the Daily Star as saying that China wants to add a new dimension to the already friendly relationsh­ip it shares with Dhaka. The four agreements will see the Chinese provide military support, including training and logistics, to the Bangladesh­i Army. The Bangladesh­i Prime Minister’s special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil told bdnews24.com that China is looking to help the country modernise and strengthen its armed forces. The mutual relations between the Bangladesh­i and Chinese armies started with the establishm­ent of diplomatic ties 40 years ago. China has emerged as the biggest weapons supplier to Bangladesh over the past five years. A wide range of military equipment, including anti-ship missiles, tanks, fighter aircrafts and other arms, was procured by Bangladesh between 2008 and 2012, according to the Sweden-based think tank SIPRI report.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India