Military Diplomacy: What General Zaman’s Russia Tour Reveals

By Rakib Al Hasan

In the shadow of an interim government and a fragile global order, Bangladesh has sent a powerful diplomatic signal—one that may reshape its geopolitical posture for the decade ahead. At the center of this recalibration stands Chief of Army Staff General Waqar Uz Zaman, whose recent visit to Moscow wasn’t merely symbolic—it was strategic, assertive and daringly consequential.

What unfolded over the course of a few days in Russia was more than a military-to-military handshake. It was a mission to reforge ties with a Cold War-era ally at a time when global alliances are fracturing and Asia is fast becoming a theater of great-power rivalry.

Redefining the Arc of Military Diplomacy

General Zaman’s visit came at a critical juncture—not only for Bangladesh but for the global security landscape. With the West distracted by Ukraine, Gaza and internal democratic fatigue, regional players like Bangladesh are seeking to expand their autonomy through diversified partnerships.

Meeting Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister General A. Fomin and Army Chief General Oleg Salyukov, the Bangladesh Army Chief engaged in talks that went beyond conventional defense diplomacy. These weren’t formulaic discussions but forward-leaning engagements—exploring joint training, institutional exchanges and operational synergy.

Why now? Because Bangladesh is hedging its bets.

For too long, the nation’s military capacity development has relied heavily on select suppliers, often shaped by donor politics. The Moscow meetings signal a shift toward multilateral defense cooperation—Bangladesh is expanding its options and Moscow, diplomatically isolated in the West, is eager for relevance.

The Rooppur Litmus Test: Who Controls Bangladesh’s Energy Sovereignty?

One of the most opaque but impactful moments of General Zaman’s tour was his meeting with Rosatom—the Russian state nuclear agency overseeing the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh’s most expensive infrastructure project ever.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Since August 5, questions have swirled around the plant: Is it on track? Will Russia maintain operational control? Will sanctions, debt or politics delay its future?

By directly engaging Rosatom, the Army Chief stepped into what has long been a civilian technocratic domain. Why? Because energy security is now a strategic issue. And in the absence of full civilian continuity under an interim government, the military appears to be ensuring state-level commitments are upheld.

Zaman’s message was clear: completion is non-negotiable and Bangladesh will not be a passive client in its own energy story.

From Tragedy to Strategy: The Manpower Crisis Reframed

Another issue simmering beneath the surface is the growing humanitarian and diplomatic concern over Bangladeshis reportedly recruited—or trafficked—into Russia’s war in Ukraine. Families torn apart. Lives lost. A government caught off guard.

Until now, this tragedy has largely been framed as a consular or labor issue. But Zaman’s intervention reframes it as a security crisis—one that must be solved through intergovernmental frameworks, not piecemeal repatriations.

Russia’s need for labor is undeniable—construction, shipping, farming—but informal migration channels are ripe for abuse. By advocating for a formal, transparent manpower export system, Bangladesh could convert a vulnerability into a remittance pipeline.

But this isn’t just about economics. It’s about ensuring Bangladeshi lives are not bartered in someone else’s war. This is moral diplomacy with strategic returns.

Rostec, Rosoboronexport and the Realpolitik of Arms

The General’s engagements with top Russian defense firms—Rostec and Rosoboronexport—reveal Bangladesh’s intent to pivot toward technological self-reliance. No longer content with off-the-shelf procurement, Bangladesh appears interested in co-development, tech transfer and perhaps even localized production.

This comes at a time when Western defense assistance often arrives with political strings and regulatory entanglements. In contrast, Russia offers speed, flexibility and an increasingly discounted arms market.

Of course, this is not without risks. Aligning too closely with Russia—currently a pariah in much of the West—could complicate Dhaka’s relations with key development partners. Yet this is the essence of Bangladesh’s emerging foreign policy: pragmatic, interest-driven and non-aligned in spirit if not in name.

Ships in the Harbor, Signals to the World

The arrival of three Russian warships at Chattogram Port mere days after Zaman’s return was not a coincidence. It was a choreographed ballet of maritime diplomacy—a show of soft power that reinforced the military-to-military rapport forged in Moscow.

The symbolism here is hard to ignore. At a time when naval dominance is once again defining Indo-Pacific security, Russia’s presence in the Bay of Bengal—however symbolic—sends a subtle message to Delhi, Beijing and Washington: Bangladesh is open to all, beholden to none.

These warships did not just dock—they taught, they trained and they toured. They engaged with naval cadets and special-needs children alike. In this, military diplomacy blurred into cultural diplomacy, a reminder that soft power need not be the domain of Hollywood and humanitarian aid alone.

Interim Government, Permanent Stakes

Perhaps the most politically intriguing aspect of this visit is that it was orchestrated under the watch of an interim government. Typically, such administrations are expected to play caretaker roles, avoiding major foreign policy recalibrations.

Yet here we are: the Bangladesh military—arguably the most stable institution in the country—stepping into the breach. In the absence of an elected government, it has taken upon itself the role of guardian—not just of territory, but of treaties, timelines and trust.

Some will view this as overreach. Others, as a necessity.

What cannot be denied is the competence with which the visit was executed and the clear articulation of national interest that accompanied it. If anything, it sets a precedent: interim doesn’t have to mean inactive.

As expected, controversy followed. Some Indian media outlets alleged that General Zaman was using Russia to pressure Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, citing India’s unease over his recent visit to China.

Such claims are not only baseless—they are a disservice to public discourse. The Army Chief’s engagements were centered on national defense, labor, energy and diplomacy—not vendettas or personal crusades.

If anything, the visit improved Bangladesh’s international image, painting it as a state capable of navigating major-power politics without losing its footing or falling prey to propaganda.

Toward a Post-Neutral Diplomacy

General Waqar Uz Zaman’s Moscow mission was not a detour. It was a destination. A signal that Bangladesh is charting a path toward what may be called “post-neutral diplomacy”—one that balances old loyalties with new interests and ideology with impact.

Under the stewardship of an interim government and amid mounting global crises, Bangladesh chose to act rather than wait. It confronted unfinished business—Rooppur, manpower, military procurement—and left Moscow with more clarity, confidence and credibility than it arrived with.

This is diplomacy as it should be: purpose-driven, people-centered and power-conscious. In a world increasingly defined by flux and friction, Bangladesh just reminded us that small states can still think big.

And in Chattogram, as Russian flags flutter and naval salutes echo across the harbor, it is clear that General Zaman didn’t just visit Moscow—he brought a new doctrine home.

The author is a young physician, author, activist & international award-winning youth leader of Bangladesh. He is the founder & Executive Director of the Centre for Partnership Initiative. His X (former Twitter) handle is @rakibalhasan_bd

Aditi Bhaduri

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