India’s Chief of Air Staff,  Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria discussed avenues to further strengthen defense cooperation with senior Bangladesh Air Force and Army officers during his two-day visit to the country June 28-29.

He also reviewed the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony at Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) in Jessore – the first instance when any foreign chief was invited to review the parade as the chief guest – a re-affirmation of the strong bonds of friendship and trust between India and Bangladesh and their armed forces.

The visit was highly significant as Bangladesh is celebrating the golden jubilee of the Liberation War. The Indian armed forces fought shoulder to shoulder with Bengali freedom fighters of then East Pakistan to militarily defeat Pakistan leading to the formation of an independent Bangladesh in 1971.

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria, who was invited by his Bangladesh counterpart Air Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, also met Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami.

While addressing the graduating trainees on parade, ACM Bhadauria noted the rapid progress being made in all aspects of military-level interactions, with bilateral defense cooperation becoming an important pillar in the deep historical and fraternal ties between India and Bangladesh.

He lauded the professional relationship between the two air forces based on mutual trust and understanding.

(SAM)