General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, Embarks on a Two-Day Visit to Bangladesh

General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), has embarked on a significant two-day visit to Bangladesh from 05 to 06 June 2023. This visit aims to further strengthen the defense relations between India and Bangladesh. During his stay, the Army Chief will engage in meetings with senior military leadership in Bangladesh, exploring avenues for enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

On 6th June, General Manoj Pande will have the honor of reviewing the Passing Out Parade (POP) of officer cadets from the 84th Long Course at the prestigious Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) located in Chattogram. The Army Chief will also take the opportunity to present the esteemed ‘Bangladesh India Friendship Trophy’ to the Best Foreign Cadet from a friendly foreign country in the Passing Out Course at BMA. This year, the first recipient of the trophy is Officer Cadet Everton from Tanzania. This award serves as a gesture of goodwill and reciprocation for the ‘Bangladesh Trophy and Medal’ instituted at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, India, in December 2021 for the Best Foreign Cadet of the Passing Out Course.

Additionally, General Manoj Pande will soon review the POP at IMA, Dehradun on 10 June 2023, where he will have the honor of presenting the Bangladesh Medal & Trophy to deserving recipients. These engagements signify the mutual respect and camaraderie between the armed forces of India and Bangladesh.

The Army Chief’s visit to Bangladesh encompasses various engagements, including formal interactions with the Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division. Furthermore, he will receive briefings from senior officers of the Bangladesh Military on bilateral cooperation issues, which will further enhance the military-to-military relations between the two countries.

It is worth mentioning that General Manoj Pande previously visited Bangladesh in July 2022, marking his first foreign visit after assuming the role of Army Chief. In a reciprocal gesture, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh also visited India in April this year, where he reviewed the Passing Out Parade at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. Such frequent visits by senior military leaders and joint military exercises serve as valuable platforms for fostering closer ties and strengthening the bonds between India and Bangladesh.

The visit of General Manoj Pande to Bangladesh underscores the commitment of both nations to fortify their defense relations and promote mutual understanding. Through these collaborative efforts, India and Bangladesh aim to build a more secure and prosperous future for their respective countries and the region as a whole.