Bangladesh Navy ship to join naval exercises

Bangladesh Navy ship Abu Bakr has left south-eastern Chittagong coast for Pakistan to join international naval exercises codenamed Aman beginning from March 5. Seventy-seven officers and 216 sailors of the BNS Abu Bakr will take part in the sea exercises under the command of Commander Selim Reza Harun.
A total of 11 countries, including powers like USA, UK, France, China and Malaysia, observers from 32 countries will attend the 10-day event. Meanwhile, the navy ship will make a goodwill call at the port of Colombo and Kochin in India during her voyage en-route to Pakistan. "It is expected that friendship and diplomatic ties will be enhanced between Bangladesh and three other Saarc countries through this exercise and goodwill visit," a Defence Ministry announcement.