Diplomatic Correspondent

Bangladesh and France have signed a letter of intent on defence cooperation, while also sharing the common vision for a free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the two countries agreed to further develop the defence and security component of their partnership based on the needs expressed and each party’s ability to respond to them using different methods, including through capacity building and potential technology transfer.

A statement issued by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron early yesterday said, “To that end, both countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and continue their cooperation, particularly in the area of training, which was launched during this visit.”

Foreign Minster AK Abdul Momen yesterday said, “Yes, we signed it [letter of intent]. It relates to training and technology transfer.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Paris on Tuesday after joining the COP26 in Glasgow. She was accorded a warm reception at Elysee Palace on the first day of her five-day visit.

The Presidential Guard gave the prime minister a salute on her arrival at the Presidential Palace. Hasina and Macron had a luncheon meeting, followed by a tête-à-tête.

Later, Hasina had a bilateral meeting with French Prime Minister Jean Castex at his official residence the Matignon.

In March last year, Florence Parly, the French armed force minister, during a meeting with PM Hasina in Dhaka had proposed to sell Rafales manufactured by Dassault Aviation.

Asked about the letter of intent (LoI) on defence cooperation, former election commissioner and security analyst Brig Gen (Retd) Dr M Shakhawat Hussain said signing the LoI does not mean that Bangladesh will buy the defence equipment.

French defence equipment, especially the Rafale, is very expensive, but Bangladesh can surely buy it if it has the capability and the need for it, he said.