The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed during his weeklong visit to India discussed various matters relating to mutual interests including training programmes for the members of three services with Indian civil and military officials.

An ISPR release here last night said Gen. Moeen in a meeting with Indian State Minister for Commerce Joyram Ramesh in New Delhi requested him to take measures for immediate export of five metric tons of rice to Bangladesh and placed investment proposals in eight sectors including IT sector of Bangladesh.

Gen. Moeen left Dhaka on February 24 on a courtesy visit to India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart General Deepak Kapoor and returned home on Sunday evening.

He attended a luncheon hosted in honour of him by Joyram Romesh in New Delhi and a dinner hosted by the GOC of the headquarters of the Fort William Eastern Command in Kolkata.

The Bangladesh Army Chief also called on Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukharjee and discussed bilateral issues with him.

On February 29, he inspected preparations at the Gede Train Station for Dhaka-Kolkata railway communications.

The Indian Army Chief hosted a dinner in honour of the Bangladesh Army Chief at the Army Battle Honour Mess.

After the dinner, Gen. Kapoor remembered his active participation in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. At that time, the Indian Army Chief was a captain.

Gen. Moeen expressed his gratitude to India for its cooperation and sacrifices in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh. He presented a replica of a war medal of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to the Indian Army Chief, saying the Bangladesh-India better relationship started from the war field.

The Bangladesh Army chief started his visit by honouring the 'Amar Jawan Joyti' flame. After that, he discussed with Gen Kapoor the issues of natural calamities, United Nations peacekeeping, earthquake, floods and training of the army.

The Indian Army chief gave a detailed idea about the Indian Army to the Bangladesh Army Chief.

Gen Moeen discussed training of officers of the Bangladesh Navy with acting chief of the Indian Navy Vice Admiral Nirmal Varma when he called on him. At the meeting, Admiral Varmar placed a proposal for joint naval training of the two countries.

The Bangladesh Army Chief met Indian Air Force Chief Marshal F H Major and discussed with him the training of the officers of the Bangladesh Air Force.

Gen. Moeen attended a dinner hosted in honour of him by the Bangladesh High Commission. Gen Kapoor was also present at the dinner.

On February 26, he visited training centres of the Indian Army, including the Indian Military Academy, and then the Tajmahal in Agra. He also visited the mazar of Hazrat Khawza Moinuddin Chisti (RA) in Ajmeer and offered fateha there. He also visited Indian Navy base at Goa.

On March 1, he visited Shanti Niketan before his departure for home.