Delhi, Dhaka for closer defence contacts
06 Sep 2011
New Delhi: Dhaka may pitch for closer defence ties with India in the course of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh. India may oblige with closer army-to-army contacts, and also the supply of spares and repairs of armoured vehicles.
India has never supplied weapons to Bangladesh but Dhaka recently let it be known that they needed spares and ammunition for their artillery and armoured vehicles.
The Bangladesh government largely purchases small weapons, mortar, air defence artillery, artillery guns, main battle tanks, F-7 fighters and frigates from China.
The other major suppliers are Russia (MiG-29 fighters), the United States (helicopters), the UK and even Pakistan.
Dhaka also wants closer cooperation in training and increase in bilateral contacts.
Indian Army chief General VK Singh made a five-day visit to Dhaka in June of this year.