Saudi diplomat convenes with military commander
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Defense Ties
In a significant development, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Zafer H Bin Abiyah, met with the Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman at Army Headquarters on August 6.
The meeting, while not discussing the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates, focused on avenues to further strengthen military-to-military cooperation between the two countries. The topic of discussion included joint exercises, arms procurement, capability development, and expertise sharing.
This meeting follows the first Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation meeting between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, which took place in May 2025. This meeting marked a significant step in strengthening their defense ties, focusing on areas including the ones mentioned above [1][2].
Both countries have signed protocols to advance these discussions and cooperation. Bangladesh is positioned to share its operational experience, especially from UN peacekeeping missions [1].
General Waker-Uz-Zaman expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but the Army's Facebook page did not mention any specific gratitude towards the Kingdom [3]. The Ambassador, on the other hand, expressed appreciation for the role and mechanism of the Bangladesh Army in maintaining the national security situation [4].
The contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates was acknowledged to be beneficial to both nations' economies. However, it was not a topic of discussion during the meeting between the Ambassador and the Army Chief [5].
This expanded defense relationship reflects Dhaka’s strategic ambition to deepen security ties with Saudi Arabia, a trusted regional partner [1]. The current status of military-to-military cooperation between the two countries is active and formally institutionalized.
[1] Bangladesh Today [2] Saudi Gazette [3] Bangladesh Army Facebook Page [4] Dhaka Tribune [5] The Daily Star
The discussion during the meeting between the Saudi Arabian Ambassador and the Bangladeshi Army Chief focused not only on military-to-military cooperation but also delved into the potential for strengthening overall ties, a subject largely influenced by ongoing politics. Following this meeting, the general news outlets have been actively reporting on this expansion of defense relationship, emphasizing its significance in the wider context of international politics.
