Bangladesh seeks enhanced cooperation with Pakistan, shows interest in purchase of JF-17 jets

Islamabad/Dhaka, Jan 16 (Representative) Highlighting their growing close ties, Bangladesh has sought enhanced defence cooperation with Pakistan, including evincing interest in the purchase of sophisticated military hardware, and the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani Army’s media wing, the defence collaboration was discussed during the visit of Bangladesh Armed Forces Principal Staff Officer, Lt. General SM Kamrul Hassan. Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan discussed the issue during his meeting with Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters Islamabad, ARY news reported. The Pakistani Chief of Air Staff reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing military partnership between the two Air Forces through joint training initiatives, the ISPR said. They also agreed to explore avenues of collaboration including exchange initiatives and joint training. The Bangladeshi Lt Gen “lauded the innovative projects, cutting-edge technologies and indigenously developed technological framework of Pakistan Air Force”. He expressed interest in the “sophisticated military hardware being developed, notably the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets”. On Tuesday, Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan met with Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi.

During their meeting, both held extensive discussions on the evolving security dynamics in the region and explored further avenues for enhancing bilateral military cooperation. The COAS and the Bangladeshi General underscored the importance of a stronger defence relationship, emphasizing that the “enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient against external influences”. The PSO had earlier also met Pakistan military’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Staff Headquarters, discussing further avenues for greater defence collaboration. “Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening military ties and reaffirmed their commitment to insulating this partnership from any external disruptions,” the ISPR said, adding that the two agreed on the “critical need for continued collaboration” in promoting regional peace, security and stability,” according to Dawn. The development marks a stark change in Bangladesh’s defence policy, as it comes amid the country’s deteriorating diplomatic ties with India, which had been its key defence partner.Following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024, the interim government of Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus has been focusing on pursuing friendly relations with Islamabad at the social-economic-political-and military levels, while its ties with New Delhi are turning cold.