During his current official visit to Ottawa, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman discussed with Canadian officials ways to improve visa facilitation services for Bangladeshi people, especially students, and deepen defence collaboration.
Salma Zahid MP, Vice-Chair of the Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Lieutenant-General Stephen R. Kelsey, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada, held talks with the army chief.
According to a press release from the Bangladeshi embassy in Ottawa that was received here today, General Waker was welcomed by Ajit Singh, Director of the Privy Council Office of Canada and Canada’s High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, upon his arrival on Wednesday.
At their meeting, the two discussed enhancing bilateral ties, with an emphasis on resolving visa-related issues for Bangladeshi nationals, including students.
In his meeting with Lt. Gen. Kelsey, General Waker stressed the importance of simplifying visa procedures for Bangladeshi military personnel, both serving and retired.
He argued that in order to avoid imposing broad limits, individual visa situations should be handled through bilateral negotiations.
The talks also cleared the path for further defence collaboration, especially in the form of more training exchanges between the two nations’ military institutions.
To support military personnel’s professional growth, the chief of the Bangladesh Army suggested increased cooperation through officer exchange programs at establishments like as the National Defence College (NDC) and staff colleges.
General Waker discussed the difficulties experienced by Bangladeshi students attempting to obtain visas to study in Canada at the discussion with Salma Zahid MP. He urged for expedited visa processes, emphasizing the Bangladesh government’s commitment to youth development and highlighting the mutual benefits of facilitating educational opportunities for Bangladeshi students in Canada.
Salma Zahid acknowledged the visa challenges, pointing to Canada’s housing shortages as a contributing factor.
However, she encouraged students to apply to designated Canadian institutions to expedite the visa process and reaffirmed her commitment to finding solutions to the current limitations on foreign student admissions. It was also explored how a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bangladeshi and Canadian universities might promote educational interactions.
In addition, they talked about potential collaborations in infrastructure development and agriculture.
The Army Chief also underlined Bangladesh’s willingness to help Canada with its healthcare system, including by sending carers to Canada.
Nahida Sobhan, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada, attended both sessions.
