Bangladesh Navy Ship (BNS) Prottoy is on a two-day visit to Mumbai from February 14 to 15. The vessel, commanded by Captain Ahamed Amin Abdullah with a crew of 137 personnel, is docked at Mumbai Port Trust. Due to restrictions imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, routine courtesy calls, social get-togethers, exchange visits, and other sports fixtures between the visitors and host naval personnel is being avoided.
BNS Prottoy’s visit to the city is significant in the backdrop that the two countries celebrated 50 years of Bangladesh independence recently. To commemorate the occasion, for the first time, a marching contingent and military band from Bangladesh participated in India’s Republic Day Parade.
Bangladesh Navy Ship (BNS) Prottoy, a stealth Missile Corvette visited #Mumbai 14-15 Feb. This visit is significant as 50 years of Bangladesh independence were celebrated recently. Both #India & #Bangladesh have come a long way in nurturing strategic and defence relationships. pic.twitter.com/SasjHJsOC4
— PRO Defence Mumbai (@DefPROMumbai) February 16, 2021
RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH
India’s regional security cooperation gets through the next level with the major announcement of joint military production. Ministry of Defence said that India will jointly build up defence equipment with Bangladesh. The county is a littoral of the Bay of Bengal, the region integral to the Indian Ocean and a major maritime trading route. In 2020, Bangladesh’s per capita income has surpassed India.
Marking the strength of bilateral relations and strategic partnership, Bangladesh has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Dhaka on March 26 next year to jointly celebrate the country’s Independence Day with his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
India and Bangladesh are seeking greater cooperation in the blue economy, civil nuclear energy, aerospace research in defence & security.
Addressing a virtual session ‘India and Bangladesh-Make for the World,’ jointly with the High Commission of India, Bangladesh and Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, Kumar added that the close proximity of Indian shipyards to Bangladesh is an additional advantage for both the nations. “This may result in a long-term strategic partnership in production, development and maintenance. It will be a win-win situation for both the nations to achieve their common objectives. The strategic partnership between India-Bangladesh can become a pillar of regional strength and economic cooperation,” he noted.
