In New Delhi on Thursday, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, met with India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, to discuss enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. The discussions focused on joint training initiatives and broader opportunities for collaboration aimed at promoting regional peace and security. The Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) shared that the meeting explored ways to deepen ties between the two militaries while fostering stability in South Asia.

Earlier, on March 26, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasised India’s warm welcome to Bangladesh’s new government, highlighting the countries’ deep-rooted historical, cultural, and linguistic ties. Speaking at the National Day Reception hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Singh reflected on the shared legacy of the 1971 Liberation War and the sacrifices made in the fight against exploitation and oppression, describing it as a cornerstone of bilateral solidarity.

Singh underlined that India and Bangladesh’s partnership is built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity. The collaboration extends across connectivity projects in rail, road, inland waterways, and energy, along with trade facilitation and ease of movement for people and goods. He noted that these initiatives are people-focused, aiming to deliver tangible benefits and improve the lives of citizens in both countries.

On February 20, India expressed its eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties following the formation of Bangladesh’s new government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulations and engagement with the Bangladeshi leadership, including a letter delivered by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the swearing-in ceremony. He stressed that India looks forward to discussing all aspects of bilateral relations, including visas and strategic cooperation, with the new administration.

The ongoing engagement between India and Bangladesh underscores a resilient and forward-looking partnership, combining defence collaboration, development projects, and shared regional priorities to ensure inclusive growth, mutual security, and long-term stability.

The four-member crew, led by Commander Reid Wiseman, along with Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, launched aboard the Orion spacecraft using the Space Launch System from the Kennedy Space Center. The mission marks a historic return of human spaceflight to the vicinity of the Moon, with a planned 10-day journey looping around the lunar surface and back.

The decision to allow astronauts to carry personal smartphones was announced earlier by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as part of efforts to streamline mission documentation and reduce reliance on traditional, bulky equipment. By using familiar, high-performance devices, astronauts can capture high-quality images and videos more conveniently.

During the deep space phase of the mission, the devices will remain in airplane mode to avoid any interference with spacecraft systems. In this configuration, they will primarily function as advanced cameras. Limited connectivity will be available when the crew passes near communication relay points, enabling them to transmit images and messages back to Earth.

The initiative highlights NASA’s evolving approach to integrating modern consumer technology into space missions. It also reflects a growing emphasis on sharing real-time experiences with the public, offering a more personal glimpse into human spaceflight.

Artemis II represents a significant milestone in space exploration, being the first crewed mission to travel to the Moon’s vicinity in decades. The crew is expected to capture unprecedented visuals of the lunar surface, observe celestial phenomena, and inspire a new generation through direct engagement with audiences worldwide.