Bangladesh-Japan advance strategic security ties

Reading Time: 2 minutes Bangladesh and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral defence and security cooperation, with a focus on maritime security, strategic dialogue, and defence technology transfer. The announcements were made during the official visit of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister to Tokyo in 30 May 2025, marking a notable step forward in Japan’s expanding security footprint in the Indo-Pacific. At the core of the discussions was Japan’s commitment to expedite the delivery of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy under the framework of Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA), a newly developed instrument for bolstering the capabilities of like-minded partners. The patrol vessels are expected to enhance Bangladesh’s maritime domain awareness and constabulary capabilities in the Bay of Bengal, amid a shifting regional security environment. Both governments welcomed progress on a landmark Agreement Concerning the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, which they agreed to in principle. The