Even as political relations between New Delhi and Dhaka navigated a sensitive phase following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent change in government, cooperation at sea maintained a steady course. One of the clearest indicators of this continuity lies in naval training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) framework.
According to official Indian Navy data, in 2023-2024, India allotted 39 naval training slots to Bangladesh under the ITEC framework, and 37 were utilised—a near-full utilisation that reflected the depth of professional engagement between the two navies. Rather than tapering off amid political uncertainty, the pipeline expanded in 2024-2025, with 42 slots offered. Even during a period marked by diplomatic recalibration in Dhaka, 34 Bangladeshi officers travelled to Indian naval institutions to undergo specialised courses.
The figures tell a larger story—despite political headwinds, the training corridor remained active, structured, and deliberate—signalling that maritime capacity building was treated as a non-negotiable lever and a steady pillar of bilateral ties. The numbers reflect more than administrative scheduling; they point to a deliberate decision on both sides to keep professional military engagement insulated from political turbulence.
From Training Year 2016-2017 to 2024-2025—roughly a decade—491 Bangladeshi personnel were trained in India under the ITEC programme, reflecting sustained institutional engagement and long-term capacity building support. Despite year-to-year fluctuations—including the impact of the pandemic—Bangladesh consistently availed a substantial majority of the opportunities extended. The figures highlight not only the scale of India’s outreach but also the depth and continuity of professional cooperation between the two countries over nearly ten years.
Much of this continuity draws from the ITEC framework, which for years has served as the primary gateway for Bangladeshi naval officers to train in Indian institutions. Even during the politically frosty 2024-2025 period, dozens of Bangladeshi officers continued their courses in India. The pipeline never shut, and the professional relationships that flow from it ensured that operational cooperation did not fray.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme is India’s flagship capacity-building initiative, through which it offers training, technical assistance and professional courses to partner countries across defence, governance and specialised sectors. This continued uptake highlights the success of ITEC as a long-standing instrument of India’s capacity-building diplomacy—designed not merely to offer courses, but to build enduring professional linkages, institutional familiarity, and trust with partner nations.
These training engagements do more than impart technical skills—they build trust, personal rapport, shared procedures and a sense of professional comfort that tends to outlast political fluctuations.
INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW AND OPERATIONAL SIGNALLING
This quiet momentum was also visible at sea. During the recently concluded International Fleet Review hosted by the Indian Navy, Bangladesh deployed BNS Somudra Avijan, a Hamilton-class high-endurance ship of the Bangladesh Navy, reaffirming its operational engagement with India. Beyond the fleet presence, a marching contingent of the Bangladesh Navy also took part in the IFR city parade, underscoring Dhaka’s continued commitment to maritime cooperation despite diplomatic headwinds.
The participation carried both symbolic and operational weight. Fleet reviews are not routine port calls. They are carefully curated displays of naval confidence, interoperability and shared maritime purpose. By sailing BNS Somudra Avijan to the event and placing its sailors shoulder to shoulder with counterparts from other nations during the parade, Bangladesh signalled that professional military engagement remains insulated from political fluctuations. The optics were clear—even amid diplomatic recalibration, maritime ties between the two neighbours remain on a stable, forward-looking trajectory.
These foundations were tested after the change of government in Dhaka. Ministerial visits slowed. Some defence decisions were revisited or put on hold, and the bilateral army exercise SAMPRITI has remained stalled since its 11th edition in October 2023.
Yet the naval domain refused to follow that script. In 2025, the two sides still carried out the Bongosagar exercise and the coordinated patrol known as CORPAT in the Bay of Bengal. Ships from both navies met in designated waters, exchanged boarding teams, ran communication drills, and rehearsed tactical manoeuvres requiring precision and trust.
MILAN AND THE BROADER MARITIME ARC
Bangladesh’s maritime engagement extended beyond the Fleet Review. The Bangladesh Navy is also participating in the ongoing MILAN exercise hosted by the Indian Navy, reinforcing its presence in multilateral maritime engagements despite the broader political recalibration.
Participation in MILAN further shows that Dhaka continues to view naval cooperation as a professional and strategic priority. By deploying assets and engaging alongside regional and extra-regional navies, Bangladesh has demonstrated that operational maritime collaboration remains firmly intact.
The broader takeaway is significant. Maritime diplomacy, when grounded in capacity building and professional training, can withstand political turbulence far better than most other forms of bilateral engagement. In the India-Bangladesh case, it has ensured that the Bay of Bengal remains a space where continuity, not confrontation, continues to define the relationship.
-
Ashish Singh is an award-winning senior journalist with over 18 years of experience in defence and strategic affairs.
