India proposes joint ventures with Bangladesh in defence manufacturing

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka hosts an event to promote defence industry collaboration

India has shown interest in partnering with Bangladesh in defence manufacturing through joint ventures in the industry.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma proposed graduating the bilateral defence cooperation to the next level at a seminar on Tuesday, the high commission said in a statement.

The steps for the joint ventures can even be done utilising the Defence Line of Credit of $500 million extended by India to Bangladesh, he said.

Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division Lt Gen MR Shameem also addressed the seminar on Indian Defence Equipment.

Verma highlighted the advances made by the Indian defence industry over the last decade, which has “spurred unprecedented investments into the Indian defence manufacturing sector and has led to rising Indian defence exports”.

The high commissioner noted that India is willing to share with Bangladesh wide-spectrum capabilities in defence manufacturing, including the most sophisticated technologies. 

A number of defence manufacturing companies of India, from both public and private sectors, participated in the event and made presentations showcasing a range of ‘Made in India’  defence equipment, technology and platforms, the high commission said.

The seminar was attended by representatives from Bangladesh Armed Forces as well as paramilitary and police forces.