Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has proposed a number of new initiatives to enhance the capacity and capability endeavours of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, according to a press release forwarded by the Indian high commission yesterday. “He conveyed India's full support to the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to achieve self reliance as articulated by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A range of initiatives for enhancing training engagements, conduct of joint exercises, HADR (high availability disaster recovery) activities and 'Blue Economy' initiatives were discussed,” it said mentioning the minister’s wide-ranging discussions with the political and military leadership.
The visit of Parrikar from November 30 to December 1 to Bangladesh was the first ever such visit by an Indian defence minister, said the release.
“It comes in the backdrop of the recent settlement of the land and maritime boundaries and increased exchanges between the defence forces of the two countries. The visit is also the first by a defence minister to any of India's immediate neighbours and is indicative of the importance the government of Prime

Minister Narendra Modi places on its relationship with Bangladesh,” it said.  He was accompanied by the vice chiefs of the army and air force, deputy chief of navy, director general of coast guard and senior defence ministry officials, it added.
While in Bangladesh, the Indian defence minister called on President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also held talks with the prime minister’s security adviser Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique (retd) on defence related cooperation.
The chiefs of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force and the principal staff officer to the Armed Forces Division called on the Indian defence minister.
Meanwhile, speaking at a banquet hosted by the prime minister’s security adviser on Tuesday, Parrikar said that they have great admiration for the manner in which the people of Bangladesh fought for and gained their independence.  “We are proud that we have had the privilege of fighting shoulder to shoulder with you and having spilled blood together to help you attain victory and independence,” he said.  “We are blood brothers and our bonds hence go well beyond the ordinary,” he added.
“India places special emphasis on developing bonds with Bangladesh. Our destinies are convergent.  We hence need to cooperate in all spheres, as a stable and prosperous Bangladesh, is beneficial to India and the region as a whole. It is in our mutual interest and benefit that we prosper and grow together,” said Parrikar.
“We today maintain a close relationship between the armed forces. I am very happy to note that the defence cooperation engagement between the armed forces has increased substantially over the last few years and a number of officers and men from the Bangladesh Armed Forces are getting an opportunity to visit India,” he said.  On terrorism, Parrikar said, “Both our nations face similar challenges of terrorism. It is a malady which affects my country as much as yours. Countries sponsoring or encouraging terrorism have always suffered in the long run.”
“There is no option for us but to fight and eradicate the evils of terrorism, drug smuggling and arms running. Not to fight them means, to harm oneself in the long run. I would like to assure you all that our government’s commitment to stability in our region remains steadfast,” he said.