The Army Chief engages in discussions with Canada on defense cooperation and visa facilitation

The Army Chief engages in discussions with Canada on defense cooperation and visa facilitation

Oct 25, 2024 - 17:47
 0
The Army Chief engages in discussions with Canada on defense cooperation and visa facilitation
The Army Chief engages in discussions with Canada on defense cooperation and visa facilitation

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, currently visiting Ottawa, held discussions with Canadian officials to strengthen defense cooperation and improve visa facilitation for Bangladeshi nationals, especially students.

During his visit, the army chief met with Canada’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Stephen R. Kelsey, and Salma Zahid MP, Vice-Chair of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Upon arrival on Wednesday, General Waker was welcomed by Ajit Singh, Director of the Privy Council Office of Canada and the High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, according to a press release from the Bangladesh embassy in Ottawa.

In meetings, General Waker discussed enhancing bilateral relations with a focus on addressing visa issues for Bangladeshi nationals, including students. In talks with Lt. Gen. Kelsey, he emphasized simplifying visa procedures for Bangladeshi military personnel, advocating for case-by-case handling to prevent broad restrictions.

The discussions also covered expanding defense cooperation, especially through training exchanges between military institutions in both countries. General Waker proposed officer exchange programs at institutions like the National Defence College (NDC) and staff colleges to support professional growth for military personnel.

With Salma Zahid MP, General Waker discussed challenges faced by Bangladeshi students seeking Canadian visas, urging for expedited processing and emphasizing the benefits of educational opportunities for Bangladeshi youth. Zahid acknowledged the visa challenges and noted Canada’s housing shortage as a factor but encouraged students to apply to specific institutions to streamline the visa process. She also expressed commitment to improving student admissions.

The two sides also explored the possibility of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Canadian and Bangladeshi universities to support educational exchanges. Additional discussions included potential cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure development, and Bangladesh’s support in Canada’s healthcare sector through caregiver provisions.

Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Canada, Nahida Sobhan, was present at both meetings.

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