ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy chief and the head of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) discussed strengthening defense cooperation on Thursday amid Dhaka’s ongoing tensions with Islamabad’s rival New Delhi.

The development takes place a day after Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and BAF chief Hasan Mahmood ‌Khan held talks on the possible procurement of ‌the ⁠JF-17 ​Thunder, ‌a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China, in Islamabad. 

Pakistan and Bangladesh have moved closer since 2024 after the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after a violent uprising. New Delhi has angered Dhaka by not accepting its repeated requests to extradite the former Bangladeshi premier. The recent lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh also strained its ties with India further 

Khan called on Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, the Pakistan military’s media wing said. 

​“During the meeting, matters of mutual professional interest, the evolving regional security paradigm, and avenues for further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation were discussed,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan military’s press wing, said. 

The statement said both dignitaries agreed on the importance of increasing the frequency of high-level exchanges and joint training exercises to promote greater synergy.

​“The visit of the Bangladesh Air Chief underscores the deepening defense ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, following the significant visit of Admiral Naveed Ashraf to Dhaka in late 2025,” the statement said. 

Pakistan has fought three wars against India since both countries gained independence from British rule in 1947. 

The two nuclear-armed neighbors engaged in the worst fighting between them since 1999 in May last year, pounding each other with missiles, drone strikes, fighter jets and exchanging artillery fire before US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10. 

Pakistan has since eyed bolstering its defense capabilities with traditional allies Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and others.