Cabinet approves defence college faculty exchange with Bangladesh

New Delhi, May 17: The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved an agreement on faculty exchange between the National Defence College here and the National Defence College in Dhaka, Bangladesh, an official said.

A statement referred to the "common challenge" of terrorism faced by both India and Bangladesh, and said the exchange of faculty would help bring "symmetry" in the capacities of the two armed forces.

The Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave an ex-post facto approval to the agreement, signed between the National Defence College, New Delhi and the National Defence College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

The agreement was signed during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in April. 

The objective of the agreement is to institutionalise regular exchange programmes and establish sustainable mechanisms between the two National Defence Colleges with the aim to enhance mutual cooperation in the field of national security, development and strategic studies.

"Given the geographical and cultural closeness between the two countries, there are many common challenges like countering terrorism that need joint action. Hence, there is a need for better coordination and cooperation among the armed forces," an official statement said.

"The exchange of faculty members of the premier institutes will help to bring symmetry in the capacities of the armed forces and contribute to countering and managing common threats and challenges much better," it said.

The agreement establishes the framework for enhanced cooperation in the field of military education concerning strategic and operational studies.