The militaries of Pakistan and Bangladesh on Tuesday stressed the need for the “enduring partnership” between the two countries to “remain resilient to external influences” amid a thaw in relations.
The two countries were once a single nation, but split after a bloody civil war, in which the territory formerly known as “East Pakistan” broke away to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
In the years since the split, Dhaka’s leaders – especially the recently overthrown regime of Sheikh Hasina – have remained firmly in the Indian camp, preferring to maintain close ties with New Delhi and keep Islamabad at arm’s length.
However, since a popular uprising that toppled Hasina’s government in August, there has been a thaw in ties between the two capitals, and trade and bilateral relations have seen a marked improvement.
An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, met the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) today. , General Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters. during the former’s visit to Pakistan.
“The COAS and PSO underlined the importance of a stronger defense relationship, emphasizing that the enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient to external influences,” the ISPR said.
He added that the two held extensive discussions on the evolving security dynamics in the region and explored new avenues to enhance bilateral military cooperation.
COAS Munir reiterated the importance of joint efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and the broader region, while ensuring that both nations continue to contribute to regional security through collaborative defense initiatives.
The Bangladesh military officer praised the “exceptional professionalism” of the Pakistan army and acknowledged the “immense sacrifices” made by the armed forces in the fight against terrorism, noting that their efforts served as a “beacon of courage and determination.”
The ISPR said General Hassan also earlier met Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Chairman General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Chiefs of Staff Headquarters.
He said their discussions focused on matters of mutual strategic interest and explored avenues to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening military ties and reaffirmed their commitment to isolating this partnership from any external disruption,” the ISPR said, adding that the two agreed on the “critical need for continued collaboration” to promote peace, regional security and stability. .
The CJCSC reiterated that both countries shared a “common vision for a secure and prosperous future”, supported by strong defense cooperation.
