Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro called on on Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) office in Dhaka Cantonment. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, July 8, 2026 (BSS) - Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister's Defence Adviser 
Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) office in Dhaka Cantonment.

During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and recalled the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Italy, said a press release of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate this afternoon.

They discussed ways to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations, with particular focus on defence cooperation and modernization of military training.

The two sides also discussed enhancing opportunities for members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to participate in training programmes at Italian 
military institutions and exchange expertise to improve their professional skills and capabilities, the ISPR said.

They also exchanged views on cooperation for the modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, as well as the significant contributions of both 
countries to UN peacekeeping missions and future joint efforts to uphold global peace and security.

Welcoming the Italian ambassador, the Defence Adviser said Bangladesh highly values its military and diplomatic relations with Italy.

Appreciating the professionalism of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, the Italian envoy expressed hope that defence relations between the two countries would 
be further deepened in the days to come, the ISPR added.