Bangladesh Navy Successfully Conducts Missile Launches in Bay of Bengal Amid Growing Defense Ties with Pakistan

The Bangladesh Navy has announced the successful completion of missile launches in the Bay of Bengal as part of their military exercises.

In an official statement, the Bangladesh Navy reported, "Bangladesh Navy's Annual Sea Exercise-2025 concluded with successful missile launches and the demonstration of diverse Naval Warfare tactics. The Hon'ble Advisers of the interim government, the Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy, along with senior military and civilian officials, observed the final phase of the exercise from BNS KHALID BIN WALID."

The statement further emphasized, "This exercise significantly strengthens Bangladesh Navy's capabilities in maritime boundary protection, sea lane and coastal security, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, blue economy enhancement and improves inter-force coordination. Bangladesh Navy remains determined and steadfast in safeguarding the sovereignty and the independence of the nation."

The Bangladesh Navy also shared in Bengali that the Annual Sea Exercise-2025 concluded successfully with multiple missile launches and demonstrations of various tactical maneuvers.

This naval exercise comes shortly after Pakistan's Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited Bangladesh and held discussions with his counterpart Admiral M Nazmul Hassan to strengthen bilateral defense relations. During his visit, Ashraf also met with Bangladesh's Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman last month.

Under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has been actively developing closer defense ties with Pakistan. Admiral Ashraf's four-day diplomatic mission coincided with the Pakistani naval vessel PNS SAIF anchoring at Bangladesh's main southeastern port in Chattogram.

Prior to this, Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) chairman General Sahir Shamshad Mirza had also visited Bangladesh and met with interim Government Chief Muhammad Yunus and the chiefs of Bangladesh's three armed forces.

The growing military cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan presents potential strategic challenges for India, particularly in the event of military tensions between the nations.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated since Muhammad Yunus assumed power, with the current Dhaka administration making contentious statements regarding India, particularly concerning India's northeastern region.