Addressing piracy, illegal fishing and trafficking at the Bay of Bengal are the major challenges for Bangladesh Navy, says a top US navy official.
“Sea robbery, illegal fishing and trafficking at Bay are challenges for Bangladesh,” Rear Admiral (Select) Cynthia M Thebaud, US chief operating officer (Naval Education and Training Command), told a press briefing at the residence of US Ambassador in Dhaka on Sunday evening.
She said the US Navy is going to conduct a joint naval exercise in the Bay with Bangladesh Navy from Monday.
About the objectives of the exercise, Thebaud said the exercise will help Bangladesh Navy share experiences and gather knowledge to respond to disasters in the sea by the members of Bangladesh Navy apart from helping Bangladesh ensure safety of the sea.
The US Navy is going to work with members of Bangladesh Coast Guard and Navy to improve their skills, Thebaud said.
Speaking at the press briefing, US Ambassador Dan W Mozena said the US government wants to deepen military-to-military relationship between Bangladesh and the USA to prevent piracy, robbery and trafficking in the sea.
“If Bangladesh can protect their maritime resources, everybody will gain…Bangladesh will gain, the South Asia will gain and the USA will gain,” he said.
Source: UNBConnect
