New Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat coming to Bangladesh Friday

New Chief of Indian Army Staff General Bipin Rawat is coming to Dhaka on Friday for a three-day visit at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq.

This visit is part of the ongoing high level exchanges between the Armed Forces of both countries, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh Army Chief had last visited India in September 2015 and the Air Force and Navy chiefs had visited India in 2016. The Indian air force and navy chiefs had also visited Bangladesh in 2016.

The visit is taking place ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's state visit to India, when the countries are expected to intensify defence cooperation.

The Indian High Commission said considering the importance of the bilateral relationship, the Indian army chief has chosen to visit Bangladesh as his first tour abroad after being appointed on Jan 1.

He will also be visiting Nepal where he will be conferred with the honorary title of 'General of Nepal Army' by the country's president as per the long standing tradition.

The chief will be accompanied by his spouse Madhulika Rawat and a four-member delegation.

The delegation will interact with the president, prime minister and the senior military leadership.

The army chief will also address the student officers at the National Defence College in Dhaka.

The Indian army chief shares a historic association with the Bangladesh War of Liberation.

His battalion, 5/11 GR, had fought with distinction in Northern Bangladesh and participated in battles at Pirganj, Goraghat, Gobindganj, Saulakandi, Mahasthan Bridge and Bogra.

During the visit, he will also visit some of these battle sites, according to the statement by the Indian High Commission.