Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar in Dhaka for two-day visit

India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has arrived in Dhaka for a two-day visit to strengthen defence ties between the neighbours.

Parikkar’s arrival is  the first visit by an Indian defence minister to Bangladesh in the last 45 years, according to Indian media reports.

The aircraft carrying the 11-member high-powered delegation led by the minister reached the Bangladesh Air Force Base in Kurmitola at 11am on Wednesday.

The Indian defence minister and his entourage were greeted by Bangladesh Defence Forces’ Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman and various government officials.

According to the ISPR press release, Parikkar will meet with President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the course of his visit.

He is also scheduled to meet with the prime minister’s defence and security advisor, Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique (retd) for bilateral talks.

Senior officials of the Indian Armed Forces, travelling with the minister, will also meet with the heads of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy and Air Forces to discuss ways to improve military  cooperation.

Parrikar is also scheduled to visit the military academy in Chittagong during the visit.

The delegation is set to return home to India on Dec 1.