Bangladesh, China to conduct joint military exercise in early May

Chinese People's Liberation Army will dispatch a contingent to Bangladesh in early May to participate in the first joint military exercise between the two countries.

This joint training, based on United Nations peacekeeping anti-terrorism operations, will involve both sides utilising an integrated training approach, reports bdnews24.com citing Xinhua news agency.

The reports said they will jointly organise exercises such as the rescue of hostages on buses and the clean-up of terrorist camps.

According to the Chinese defence ministry, such activity is conducive to ‘enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two militaries and deepening practical exchanges and cooperation’.

Meanwhile, India says it will keep a ‘close watch’ on the training as it does in case of other developments in the region.

Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Indian external affairs ministry, faced questions on the report in his regular press briefing on Thursday.

He said: “Regarding your questions about joint military exercise, as you heard me speak about it several times from this podium: We keep a close watch on all developments that happen in our neighbourhood and beyond, which impact our interests, economic and security interests and we take appropriate measures accordingly.”