Naval diplomacy is one of the important tasks that navies perform as it substantiates overall diplomatic efforts of the country. It is conducted via various actions, the purpose of which is to achieve cordiality and congeniality between the two countries. Visits of high-level delegations, port calls by ships, joint exercises, joint training, etc. are all facets of naval diplomacy. Pakistan and Bangladesh are enjoying cordial relations and there are positive happenings in almost all fields. The navies of both countries are natural allies since they operate in different yet equally important parts of the region. In February 2025, Pakistan Navy organised the 9th edition of Exercise AMAN which also embodied the first ever AMAN Dialogue. It was attended by heads of 17 organisations including the Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, while BNS Somudra Joy from the Bangladesh Navy also participated in multilateral Exercise AMAN 2025.
This was a momentous occasion since it broke the barrier of non-contact between the two navies after many decades. During his visit the Chief of Bangladesh Navy also met with Pakistan’s Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy, Admiral Naveed Ashraf NI, NI (M) SBt during which matters of mutual interest, the regional maritime security environment, and prospects for enhanced bilateral naval collaboration between the two countries were discussed. Various avenues of cooperation, including training, exchange of visits, and bilateral naval exercises between the navies of Pakistan and Bangladesh were also highlighted.
To reciprocate the gesture and further consolidate good relations between the two countries, Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited Bangladesh from 9th to 11th of November 2025, during which he held series of high-level interactions with senior military leadership including Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Principal Staff Officer Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan.
The visit of CNS was planned concurrent to the port visit of PNS Saif at Chattogram, the first ever by a Pakistan Navy ship in more than last fifty years
During the meetings, discussions on matters of mutual professional interest, regional maritime security and avenues to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries were held. The interactions underscored the need to strengthen bilateral relations and highlighted the shared commitment towards promoting peace and stability in the region.
Training is one important facet of military life which forms the roots of a military organisation. Special emphasis on training is therefore laid upon from where the strength of a military force can be accrued. The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, therefore, also visited National Defence College (NDC) of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) where he interacted with the President NDC, Commandant BNA and faculty members. He lauded the high professional standards being maintained by these institutions.
His visit to Chattogram was of special significance as there is significant Chinese investment in the area with a focus on developing industrial zones and port infrastructure. China has also pledged significant funds, such as $350 million for the China Economic and Industrial Zone expansion and $150 million for technical assistance, as well as investing in modernization of the Chattogram and Mongla seaports, which is part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative. He was called on by Commander Chattogram (COMCHIT), Commander Bangladesh Navy Fleet (COMBAN) and Area Superintendent Dockyard (ASD) during which matters of mutual interest were discussed.
The Pakistani ship PNS Saif held a reception, which was attended by CNS Bangladesh Navy. The gathering included diplomats, senior military officials, scholars, journalists and business leaders reinforcing the commitment of peaceful cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region
A realistic review of Pakistani CNS visit to Bangladesh presents a very holistic picture which covers three very important aspects of mutual collaboration; diplomacy, operations and training. The naval diplomacy as enunciated earlier supports overall diplomatic efforts of a country and when chiefs of navies visit each other the naval diplomacy is said to have reached its zenith. The important fact here is the short time between the visits by both chiefs. It was in February 2025 that the Bangladesh Naval Chief visited Pakistan and just after nine months, Pakistan’s Naval Chief visited his country. This is indicative of paramount importance that both countries are according to each other and the growing closeness both navies are enjoying. The coinciding of Pakistani CNS visit with the sojourn to PNS Saif, shows alignment of both navies in operational arena. When the ships of navies visit each other’s ports, its not merely a visit or a diplomatic effort but in fact the exchange of operational ideas between the crews of both sides.
Participation in operational exercises and patrolling is the overall dividend that two navies accrue out of such interactions. Since training forms the bedrock of relations between the two navies, the visit of Pakistani CNS to the training institutions and discussion on matters related to mutual collaboration will bring fruitful results for both sides. Mutual training opportunities actually provide understanding of each other’s culture and thought process which bring ease of operating together. The time doesn’t seem to be far when Pakistan and Bangladesh navies will operate jointly and the two most important geographical areas in Indian Ocean will be a common domain for both. With the prevailing environment bred with major powers rivalry, the collaboration between both Pakistan and Bangladesh navies is but natural, logical and essential.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh are neighbours to India who is being supported by
the US and its allies as a challenger to China. China has invested substantially in both
Pakistan and Bangladesh under the BRI.
With the enhancement in Indian naval capabilities, its eastern and western maritime neighbours are vulnerable to the Hindutva infested mindset. There is thus a need to forge good relations and close cooperation between the two countries to offset any challenges that are a consequence of intended Indian maritime hegemony. The notion of Net Security Provider that India dwells on should be challenged through close diplomatic, operational and training collaboration between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The milestone visit by Pakistani CNS to Bangladesh symbolises a renewed chapter in fostering mutual respect, bilateral naval collaboration and contribute to strengthening maritime security cooperation between the two countries.
