In a significant development marking a new chapter in South Asian military diplomacy, the armies of Bangladesh and Pakistan have launched their first-ever Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) in Rawalpindi, initiating a structured dialogue on bilateral defence cooperation.
The Bangladeshi delegation, led by Major General Mohammad Masudur Rahman, is in Pakistan for the inaugural round of talks aimed at enhancing cooperation in training, logistics, intelligence sharing, and defence manufacturing. The discussions are being hosted by senior officials at the General Headquarters (GHQ), reflecting Islamabad’s growing emphasis on regional military engagement beyond its traditional partnerships.
The talks come days after the historic visit of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza to Dhaka (24–28 October), which featured high-level meetings with Bangladesh’s top military leadership and the Armed Forces Division (AFD). Officials described the visit as “productive and forward-looking,” paving the way for a more institutionalized military relationship.
Sources in both capitals confirmed that the current dialogue will explore joint training programs, defence education initiatives, and logistics frameworks, alongside potential industrial collaboration between the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) and Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF).
Analysts view the initiative as part of Bangladesh’s broader push under its Forces Goal 2030 strategy to diversify its defence partnerships, enhance operational readiness, and expand its defence-industrial base. For Pakistan, the engagement reinforces its image as a credible professional partner and signals a maturing of its defence diplomacy within South Asia.
This year has already seen multiple bilateral exchanges between the two militaries, underscoring a shared interest in fostering professional collaboration after decades of limited interaction.
Diplomatic observers describe the dialogue as “strategically significant,” noting that both countries appear intent on building a cooperative framework focused on mutual capacity building and regional stability.
