Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria has held detailed talks with top military officials of Bangladesh in Dhaka to expand comprehensive bilateral defense cooperation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has described the visit of the IAF chief as "highly significant" in view of the golden jubilee of the historic victory in the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria was on a two-day visit to the neighboring country from Monday to review the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony at the Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) in Jashore at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart Air Marshal Sheikh Abdul Hannan. The ceremony was organized on the occasion of 'President Parade 2021'.
"The two-day visit was extremely significant in view of the golden jubilee of the historic victory in the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh," the Indian Air Force said in a statement. Invited to review the parade as a guest. This is a reaffirmation of the strong bonds of friendship and trust between India and Bangladesh and their armed forces.
The IAF chief's visit to Bangladesh comes two months after Army Chief General MM Naravane's visit to the country. Officials said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria held discussions with the Chief of Bangladesh Air Force as well as the Chief of Army Staff and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division.
The IAF said the focus of the talks was to further strengthen the comprehensive defense cooperation between the two countries. Bhadauria also held talks with Vikram K Doraiswamy, High Commissioner of India to Dhaka. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, there have been several visits from both sides in the last six months. The year 2021 also marks the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's liberation and the birth centenary of the country's first president, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.