Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force continues to strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh as two of its vessels recently arrived at Chattogram Port. This bilateral engagement reflects the increasing co-operation between the two countries in various sectors, including defense and security. It is yet another step towards a deeper alliance that promises to benefit both nations in the long run. In this article, we take a closer look at the arrival of these vessels and what it means for the relationship between Japan and Bangladesh.
On Sunday, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) arrived at Chattogram Port in Bangladesh for a goodwill port visit. Two vessels, JS URAGA and JS AWAJI, both mine sweepers, were welcomed by Captain Mohammed Faizul Hoque, Chief Staff Officer to the Commander of Chattogram Naval Area (COMCHIT) and greeted by IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh.
The JMSDF vessels will stay in Chattogram until 11 April 2023, and the Bangladesh Navy will organize exchange programs such as visits on board. Captain NAKAI Eiichi, Commander of Minesweeper Division One, and his officers will make courtesy calls on Rear Admiral Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, COMCHIT, Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, Commander of Bangladesh Navy Fleet (COMBAN), and Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, during their stay in Chittagong.
Furthermore, JS URAGA and JS AWAJI will conduct a goodwill exercise with the Bangladesh Navy in the surrounding sea. The two vessels departed from Japan on January 19, 2023, for IMED23 (Indo-Pacific and Middle East Deployment 23). They will make port calls in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, returning to Japan on 23 May 2023.
This is the JMSDF’s fourth port visit to Chattogram, following visits in 2012, 2019, and 2022. This visit marks the start of the new voyage towards the next 50 years of bilateral relations between Japan and Bangladesh, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries last year.
The Japanese Embassy in Dhaka says this visit is expected to strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Bangladesh and contribute to the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” vision to secure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The port visit will not only deepen the ties between the two countries but also contribute to the overall security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
Overall, the JMSDF’s goodwill port visit to Bangladesh signifies the importance of strengthening ties between nations and promoting cooperation in the region. This visit also highlights the significance of bilateral relations and the importance of continued collaboration between nations to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
