Turkiye to strengthen cooperation in defence industry with Bangladesh, says FM Hakan Fidan
Dhaka, June 5
Turkiye will strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in the defence industry, Turkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday.
"There are steps we can take to enhance our cooperation in various fields, particularly in the defence industry. We thoroughly reviewed all these matters with my esteemed colleague, Hakan Fidan told the reporters in a joint news conference with Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, after bilateral talks.
Turkiye's Foreign Minister arrived in Dhaka on Thursday night on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. Bangladesh and Turkiye had a bilateral meeting this morning where two foreign ministers led their respective delegations.
Turkiye's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, will also meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Fidan will visit the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar later today.
"Regional and global security, stability and peace in the region are fundamental priorities for Turkey's foreign policy. We are deeply concerned about regional conflicts escalating and spreading", he said.
"We welcome progress in talks between Iran and the US and hope for concrete results leading to lasting stability", Fidan added.
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister stressed the need to increase bilateral trade.
"Following the directives of the Prime Minister, we are discussing the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and, in the interim, a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to rapidly increase our trade volumes", Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said at the news conference.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting that Turkiye is focusing on Rohingya camps too. Bangladesh has been handling the refugee crisis for years, and any international support is welcome. But defence cooperation? In a region already tense, this needs careful handling. Let's hope it doesn't fuel arms race in South Asia.
Free Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and Turkiye makes sense—both have strong manufacturing bases. But defence cooperation? Turkiye's Bayraktar drones are proven in conflicts, and Bangladesh could benefit. However, India must ensure its own strategic interests aren't compromised. Balancing act ahead! 🚁
Hakan Fidan visiting Rohingya camps shows Turkiye's humanitarian commitment. But as an Indian, I'm wary—Turkiye has been cozy with Pakistan too. Bangladesh should be mindful of not getting dragged into geopolitical games. Defence deals are fine, but transparency is key. Just my two paise! 💭
Turkiye is a rising power, and Bangladesh is smart to diversify its partnerships. India should also deepen ties with Turkiye—there's potential in trade and tech. But the defence angle? Let's not forget Turkiye's role in Nagorno-Karabakh. Bangladesh needs to ensure it's not just buying hardware without proper strategy. 🧠
Fidan's comment on Iran-US talks is telling—Turkiye wants to be a mediator. But for South Asia, the real concern is how defence ties with Bangladesh affect India's security. Dhaka should prioritise economic growth over military buildup. Trade, not tanks, is the way forward! 📈
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.