STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The Australian government will provide technical assistance -- including aerial drones as gifts -- to the Bangladesh Coast Guard as part of ongoing civil-maritime security cooperation between the two countries.

As part of this collaboration, both sides will also exchange operational information to strengthen efforts against transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal fishing.

A delegation led by Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, Commander of the Maritime Border Command and Joint Agency Task Force (Operation Sovereign Borders), visited the Bangladesh Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon yesterday. Officials from the Australian High Commission in Dhaka also joined the visit.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting, Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque said they have been receiving active support from the Australian border force in training and capacity building.

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