Bangladesh Navy signs contract for 800-ton ocean-going tug with Indian shipbuilder

Bangladesh Navy has signed a contract for ‘Made in India’ 800 ton-Ocean Going Tug with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineers.

The signing, held on Sunday, coincides with the visit of India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi to Bangladesh.

It is a new milestone in India’s defence Line of Credit to Bangladesh, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in a message through its verified social media handle.

Two countries appreciate their significant role in ensuring peace, stability, and harmony in the region.

During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's state visit to India, two countries agreed to strengthen their defence cooperation with a long-term perspective.

In line with the plans for modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, the two countries will explore defence industrial cooperation for modernization of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh to strengthen their capability for defence.

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will pay a four-day official visit from July 1-4, aiming to consolidate bilateral defence relations between Bangladesh and India and to explore new avenues for Naval cooperation.

The visit of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy will further "strengthen the strong bonds of friendship" between the navies of both countries, said the Indian Ministry of Defence on Sunday.

The CNS is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy in Dhaka, as also review the passing out parade scheduled at Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) at Chattogram on July 4.

During the visit, the CNS would also hold bilateral discussions with General Waker-Uz-Zaman (Chief of the Army Staff, Bangladesh Army), Air Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan (Chief of the Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force), Lt Gen Mizanur Rahman Shameem (Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division) and senior leadership of the Bangladesh Government.

The CNS would also address participants at the National Defence College, Dhaka and visit a few key defence facilities.

Naval cooperation between India and Bangladesh has been traditionally strong, encompassing a wide span, which includes operational interactions through port calls, bilateral naval exercises, along with capacity building, capability enhancement and training initiatives.