France seeks to boost naval ties with Bangladesh

The French Navy, renowned for its size and formidable naval capabilities, has expressed a keen interest in collaborating with the Bangladesh Navy to uphold international law and ensure maritime security.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, the chief of French joint forces in the Indian Ocean, conveyed this during an interview held aboard the French stealth Fregate Surcouf.

The ship, which embarked on its journey from France two months ago, made a stop at the Patenga Container Terminal in Chattogram after seven years.

During its visit from July 2 to July 6, the vessel will engage in a joint exercise with the Bangladesh Navy on Thursday. A delegation comprising 170 officers and sailors is taking part in this goodwill visit, with Rear Admiral Slaars and French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday.

During their visit, the officers and sailors of the French Navy ship had the opportunity to explore various naval installations and engage with officials in Bangladesh.

We strongly believe that international law is very important and we are also ready to fight illegal trafficking of narcotics, weapons etc.

— Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars Chief of French joint forces in Indian Ocean

French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy emphasised that the ship's visit signifies France's political commitment to supporting Bangladesh and recognises the country's importance in the Indian Ocean region.

The visit comes at a time when competition among major powers in the Indo-Pacific region is intensifying, while challenges such as climate change, illegal trafficking of narcotics and weapons, environmental pollution, and overexploitation of marine resources loom large.

France, as an Indo-Pacific nation, is actively involved in the region to safeguard its territories and uphold international law.

"We strongly believe that international law is very important and we are also ready to fight illegal trafficking of narcotics, weapons etc," said Slaars.

The French Navy has demonstrated its commitment by intercepting a significant quantity of narcotics during its deployment in the Arabian Sea.

Additionally, the French Navy shares concerns about the preservation of aquatic resources and the problem of illegal fishing, which often involves violations of international laws.

Slaars encouraged regional countries to collaborate in their efforts to address trafficking of narcotics  and weapons.

He highlighted the existing partnership between the French and Bangladeshi navies, citing the presence of a Bangladeshi Navy ship involved in UN operations in Lebanon and regular Bangladeshi naval deployments to the Arabian Gulf.

He expressed France's willingness to consider specific proposals from Bangladesh for the modernisation of its Navy. In the past, the French Navy assisted the Bangladesh Navy in developing its hydrographic capabilities, and now the Bangladesh Navy has its own capacity, a source of pride for the French Navy.

Captain Jerome Dubois of the ship said joint exercises help the navies build confidence and exchange of knowledge and tactics help each other in joint operations. "That's how you build capacity and efficacy to work together."