Pakistan, Bangladesh Reaffirm Commitment to Peace and Stability in Indian Ocean

Pakistan Navy Chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, holds meeting with Bangladeshi counterpart Admiral M Nazmul Hassan in Dhaka

Sun Nov 09 2025
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh navies have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean.

This came during a meeting between Pakistan Navy Chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan in Dhaka, a statement issued by the Pakistan Navy said on Sunday.

“Naval Chiefs reaffirm enduring cooperation and joint commitment to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean,” it said.

Naveed Ashraf is on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh, a statement said.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Navy, the two sides emphasised further strengthening the relationship between the two brotherly nations. Different issues of bilateral interests came up for discussion in the meeting.

On arrival at Naval Headquarters, the Bangladeshi Chief of Naval Staff welcomed the Pakistani Navy chief. A smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Navy at the time gave him a guard of honour.

Pakistan High Commission, Defence Attache and senior military officials were present at the time.

Earlier, the Pakistan naval chief also called on Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman.  The two officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and military capabilities.

They also discussed the prospects for expanding military cooperation through bilateral training, seminars, and visits.

The visit came a day after Pakistan’s naval ship PNS SAIF anchored off Bangladesh’s main port in the southeastern city of Chattogram for a four-day goodwill visit that will last until November 12.

“The coordinated engagement underscores Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen longstanding ties and improve maritime collaboration with Bangladesh,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.

Last month, Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, paid an official visit to Bangladesh and met Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, in Dhaka to discuss expanding defence cooperation and regional security.

Earlier, in January, Bangladesh’s Principal Staff Officer (PSO) met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where both sides emphasised the importance of building an enduring partnership between their countries to remain resilient against external pressures.

Ties have improved since the fall of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, who was seen as closely aligned with India and critical of Pakistan. This shift occurred following the student-led uprising in August 2024.

Pakistan has sought to strengthen its relations with Bangladesh in recent months, particularly as tensions remain between Dhaka and New Delhi, following India’s decision to offer asylum to Hasina after she fled Bangladesh.

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