For the first time, two Indian Naval ships will make a three-day port call at Bangladesh’s port city of Mongla

Commemorating 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence, Indian Naval ships- Sumedha, an indigenously built offshore patrol vessel and Kulish, an indigenously built guided missile corvette- are scheduled to make a port call at the historic port city of Mongla in Bangladesh from March 8 to 10.

This is the first time that any Indian Naval ship is visiting the port of Mongla in Bangladesh and it is aimed at paying homage to the Bangladeshi and Indian combatants and citizens who laid down their lives during the Liberation War of 1971.

Indian Naval ships’ visit is also in line with India’s firm resolve and commitment to maintain peace, stability and good order in the region, a vision articulated by Prime Minister Modi under the country’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) doctrine.

On behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, the Commanding Officers of the ships will call on the senior Bangladesh Navy hierarchy to reaffirm Indian Navy’s solidarity and partnership with the Bangladesh Navy.

Following all Covid-19 protocols, the ships’ crew will also participate in professional and cultural exchanges as well as friendly sports fixtures with their counterparts in the Bangladesh Navy, further enhancing synergy between the two navies.

India is celebrating the golden jubilee of its victory (Swarnin Vijay Varsh) over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is set to visit Bangladesh later this month to participate in the celebrations marking 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence and the Golden Jubilee Year of bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.

On March 4, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Dhaka on the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Dr A K Abdul Momen.

During a joint press conference with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, EAM Jaishankar had said, “We are working to prepare for the planned visit of our Prime Minister. It will surely be a very memorable visit: if I recall right it would be his first visit outside India since the Coronavirus pandemic and his second as Prime Minister to Bangladesh.”

“The significance of our ties with Bangladesh lies in your centrality for our ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and your growing relevance for our ‘Act East’ Policy. We see Bangladesh as a key neighbour and a valued partner not only in South Asia but also in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Every outcome and achievement in our relationship resonates through this region. It is no secret that we cite it to others as an example for emulation,” the EAM had maintained during the joint press conference on March 4

Last month, Indian Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria was on a goodwill visit to Bangladesh and held a series of meetings with top Bangladesh armed forces officers over the past few days to further strengthen the defense relationship and enhance engagements between the two countries.