B’desh personnel train at Indian Navy diving school

Kolkata, Aug 10 (AHN) Political tensions between India and Bangladesh have not diluted military ties between the two countries. Officers and sailors from the Bangladesh Navy were among the 17 trainees from seven Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs) who completed their clearance diving courses at the Indian Navy Diving School, INS Venduruthy, on Wellington Island in Kochi, Kerala.

“Months of relentless training, discipline and resilience culminated in the successful Passing Out of the Clearance Diving Courses at the Indian Navy Diving School, Kochi,” the institute posted on X.

“A total of 17 trainees (09 Officers and 08 Sailors) from the Friendly Foreign Countries of Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam completed one of the Indian Navy’s most demanding specialist training programmes, reinforcing professional excellence, interoperability and enduring maritime partnerships. Ready to dive deeper. Ready to serve. Ready to strengthen bonds across oceans,” it added.

Clearance diving is the most difficult and complex type of diving, involving the handling of explosives and the use of advanced equipment underwater. Such military divers may be deployed to defuse explosives or lay charges to deter the movement of enemy warships. Clearance divers also carry out hull salvage operations and surveillance. Modern‑day clearance diving includes basic survival training for clandestine operations, laying the foundation for advanced combat diving courses.

Few institutions in the world train clearance divers. INS Venduruthy is the only known one in Asia. Courses range from 22 to 37 weeks, depending on the trainees' ranks and the modules selected.

Defence co‑operation between India and Bangladesh reached a peak during the Sheikh Hasina regime. Tensions rose after her ouster on August 5, 2024. Relations worsened after Mohammad Yunus took over as head of the interim government in Bangladesh following Hasina’s departure to India. Yunus made moves to restore relations with Pakistan despite the events of 1971, while his ties with China were also a cause for concern for India.

Things are gradually improving with Tarique Rahman taking over as prime minister after general elections in February this year. Hasina’s presence in India continues to remain an issue, with New Delhi refusing to accede to Dhaka’s demands to extradite her.