Bangladesh and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are contemplating a deal to enhance cooperation between the militaries of both the countries which will feature all the aspects of collaboration including joint exercises and training, officials concerned have said. But, they said that it is yet to be decided whether the bilateral instrument will be signed in the shape of a full-fledged agreement or a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which is of non-binding in nature. “The issue is still under discussion. It’s natural that in line with enhancement of bilateral cooperation in other sectors, the military cooperation will enhance,” Dr Nazrul Islam, deputy chief of Bangladesh embassy in Saudi Arabia, told The Independent from Riyadh yesterday.
Visiting Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq yesterday discussed the signing of the deal in a meeting with Saudi Assistant Defence Minister Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al-Ayesh in the kingdom’s capital, according to a press release forwarded by the embassy in Riyadh yesterday. The release, however, did not elaborate on the proposed deal.
The Saudi assistant minister sought Bangladesh’s cooperation to develop the military infrastructure of the Saudi Arabia.
The Bangladeshi army chief discussed the issue related to the opportunity of the skilled Bangladeshi army officials in different sectors of Saudi Arabia. He also proposed to provide assistance through recruitment of Bangladeshi doctors, hospital assistants and establishment of different units in Saudi military hospitals.
Saudi assistant defence minister conferred Bangladeshi army chief with King Abdul Aziz Collar of Medal for his contributions to the improvements of relationship between the two armed forces.
When contacted, senior officials in Dhaka and Riayadh said that though both the Muslim-majority countries already have cooperation in defence sector, a deal will institutionalise and broaden the areas of collaboration. As asked if it would be an agreement or MoU, a senior diplomat said, “This decision will be taken by the policy makers of the country.”
The proposed deal will involve all the aspects of military cooperation between the two countries including use of Bangladesh military expertise in improving Saudi military infrastructure, training and joint exercises, said the officials while replying to a question. “If you watch the recent Saudi military activities, you will notice that it wants to engage with more and more countries given the increasing military power of its arch rival Iran. So, in line with this approach, Riyadh wants to increase military ties with Dhaka,” said the diplomat.
Another diplomat said, “We have to play our cards carefully as we did with regard to joining the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. We have made them known clearly that Bangladesh will militarily support the Saudis only to protect the two holiest mosques situated in Makkah and Madinah.”
In regards to involvement with other wars, he said, “Our position is clear. We will only engage under the United Nations, only in peacekeeping.” “We will also have to remember that Iran is a large Muslim country and is our friend,” he said.
Gen Huq also held a meeting with Royal Saudi Land Forces Commander Lt Gen Fahd bin Abdullah and discussed matters related to education, training and other bilateral cooperation. Currently, 31 Saudi army cadets are undertaking training in Bangladesh.