Pakistan and Bangladesh have stepped up defence engagement as Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf concluded a multi-day visit to Dhaka, marking one of the clearest signs of improving bilateral relations after years of diplomatic drift.
The visit coincided with the docking of Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Saif at Chattogram port, a move the Pakistan Navy described as a “renewed chapter” in strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Navy’s DGPR, Admiral Ashraf held meetings with Bangladesh’s top military leadership — including Army Chief General Wakeruz Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and senior officials of the Armed Forces Division. Discussions focused on regional maritime security, professional collaboration, and expanding defence ties in a shifting strategic environment.
The naval chief also visited the National Defence College and the Bangladesh Naval Academy, where he praised their training standards and highlighted the growing need for advanced naval education as maritime domains evolve.
A reception aboard PNS Saif brought together diplomats, military officials, analysts, and business leaders, reinforcing a shared commitment to peaceful cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and northern Indian Ocean — regions increasingly shaped by competition over sea lanes, ports, and maritime influence.
The engagement comes at a time when Pakistan–Bangladesh relations have begun to thaw. Islamabad and Dhaka held their first Joint Economic Commission meeting in 20 years last October, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s landmark visit to Dhaka earlier in the summer signaled political willingness on both sides to restore broader ties.
Bangladesh’s political transition following the fall of the Hasina government has also reshaped its foreign policy space, creating room for deeper outreach with Pakistan. At the same time, Pakistan has been expanding its naval diplomacy across the region, emphasizing maritime connectivity and security.
As Admiral Naveed Ashraf noted, “The next century belongs to the oceans,” underscoring both nations’ desire to position themselves strategically in a rapidly changing maritime landscape.
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