India, Bangladesh To Discuss Defense Relations
A high-level Bangladesh Air Force delegation led by the country's air chief, Air Marshal S.M. Zia-ur-Rehman, is in New Delhi to discuss defense ties between the neighboring countries, a senior Indian Defence Ministry official said.
India is ready to export to Bangladesh defense equipment, including the Advanced Light Helicopter, and to assist the country in building warships, the ministry official said.
New Delhi is concerned about the increasing levels of defense supplies being sent from China to Bangladesh, Defence Ministry sources here said.
There are reports the Chinese Navy has access to Bangladesh's Chittagong port, the sources said. China already has a military base on the Coco islands, leased from Myanmar, near India's Andaman islands, which is considered a listening post over the eastern part of India, including India's ballistic missile center in the eastern state of Orissa. China is also helping Pakistan build the Gwadar deep-sea port.
China has sold artillery systems, combat aircraft and small arms to Bangladesh in the last two years.
The Bangladesh air chief will hold talks with Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Indian Navy Chief Adm. Sureesh Mehta and Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor.
India helped Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, during its 1971 independence war against Pakistan. Fire has been exchanged along the border between the countries in cases relating to forced migration and smuggling.
India, Bangladesh To Discuss Defense Relations — Indo-Burma News
If Bangladeshi defence doctorine prohibits purchases of Indian hardware then whats the BAF chief was doing in India?
GB