Bangladesh and the Maldives have reinforced their growing defense and people-to-people ties through an international cadet exchange programme, highlighting the role of youth engagement and military-oriented public diplomacy in strengthening regional cooperation.

A delegation of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), currently taking part in the International Cadet Exchange Programme (ICEP) 2026 in the Maldives, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Md. Nazmul Islam, at the Bangladesh High Commission in Malé.

During the meeting, discussions focused on expanding bilateral military cooperation through training opportunities, structured exchange programs, and closer engagement among future military leaders of the two countries, according to a press release issued by the High Commission.

High Commissioner Islam reaffirmed Dhaka’s commitment to advancing defense cooperation with the Maldives and pledged full support for initiatives that promote professional excellence, mutual understanding, and regional stability.

He described international cadet exchanges as effective tools of military soft power, helping to foster discipline, leadership, and shared values among young participants.

The ICEP 2026, hosted by the Maldives National Cadet Corps, brings together cadets from Bangladesh, the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, reflecting what officials described as a shared regional commitment to peace and confidence-building.

The BNCC delegation arrived in the Maldives on December 30 and is scheduled to conclude its programme on January 9. The team is led by Brigadier General Abu Saeed Al Masud, Director General of BNCC.

As part of the programme, the Bangladeshi cadets undertook a series of institutional and field visits, including to the Maldivian Ministry of Defence, the Maldives National Defence Force, the Coast Guard, maritime rescue facilities, and training centers, as well as key infrastructure and historical sites in and around Malé.

The delegation also held meetings with senior Maldivian officials, including the deputy defense minister, the chief of defense force, and the commissioner of police, further strengthening institutional links between the two sides.

The release said the visit contributed to deepening military-to-military, institution-to-institution, and people-to-people ties, while promoting leadership development and cooperation aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.