Dhaka, Apr 12 (V7N) – Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman has returned home after a successful official visit to Russia and Croatia, where he engaged in high-level discussions aimed at bolstering defense cooperation, military training, and bilateral relations.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the Army Chief's return on Saturday, outlining the key outcomes of his diplomatic engagements abroad.

The visit began with a courtesy meeting on April 7 between General Waqar and General A. Fomin, Deputy Defense Minister of Russia. The two sides discussed a wide range of mutual interests, including:

  • Strengthening bilateral military relations

  • Training assistance and exchange of expertise

  • Export of skilled manpower to Russia

  • Higher education opportunities for military personnel

  • Regional security cooperation and joint training programs

On April 8, General Waqar met with Russian Army Chief General Oleg Saleyukov, where both leaders exchanged views on future defense cooperation agreements, expanded training assistance, and increasing trainee exchanges between military institutions of the two nations.

The Army Chief also held an important meeting with officials from Rosatom, Russia’s state energy agency, where they discussed the timely implementation of the physical security system of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and its successful integration into Bangladesh’s national grid.

Further discussions with senior representatives of Rostec and Rosoboronexport focused on enhancing the pace and dynamism of military exchanges and defense procurement between Bangladesh and Russia.

On April 10, General Waqar visited Croatia, where he paid a courtesy call on Lieutenant General Tihomor Kundid, Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces. Discussions between the two leaders included:

  • Enhanced defense cooperation and capacity building

  • Prospects of establishing a defense industry

  • Joint military exercises

  • Broader avenues for future collaboration

The Army Chief’s visits to both countries mark a significant step in deepening Bangladesh’s defense diplomacy, promoting regional stability, and diversifying strategic partnerships in Europe and Eurasia.

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