Dhaka:Bangladesh and Italy have expressed a mutual interest in enhancing their defence cooperation, focusing on military modernization, training, technical assistance, and collaboration in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this interest was articulated during a meeting between the Prime Minister's Defence Adviser, Brigadier General (retd) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, and the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro. The meeting took place at the adviser's office at the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment.
The discussions highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Italy, with both parties eager to expand and strengthen cooperation between their armed forces. The potential areas of collaboration include defence capacity-building, military training, technical and technological assistance, and the procurement of modern military equipment.
The meeting also addressed the contributions of both nations to UN peacekeeping missions, exploring possibilities for joint training and future collaboration. The defence adviser emphasized the importance of Italy's continued support for the development of Bangladesh's defence industry and the enhancement of its defence capabilities.
The Italian ambassador reiterated Italy's dedication to maintaining its partnership with Bangladesh and assisting in the modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Both sides expressed optimism that high-level dialogue and ongoing engagement would bolster military ties and enhance the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries.