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US, Canada recently denied visa to Bangladesh Air Chief Hannan

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US, Canada recently denied visa to Bangladesh Air Chief Hannan​

Even as visa restriction policy was in force, BAF chief’s visit was aimed at exploring possibilities of acquiring four Bell helicopter​

  • ecf05be9bde7011ecd39263e8fedd64f
    By Chandan Nandy
  • 1 day Ago
Air-Chief-Marshal-Shaikh-Abdul-Hannan-2-1024x703.jpg

Bangladesh Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan during his visit to Air Force Station Barrackpore, West Bengal, in December 2022. (Photo: Twitter)

In a significant move with far-reaching consequences, Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan’s applications seeking visas for visits to the United States and Canada were rejected by consular officials at the two foreign embassies in Dhaka about a month ago.
The visa denial by the US and Canada to Hannan comes four months after the State Department, acting in ways to “support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair and peaceful national elections”, announced a new sweeping policy which empowers the US “to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh”.

In an official note on May 24 this year, the US State Department categorised “current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services”. The US authorities notified the Bangladeshi government of this “decision” on May 3, 2023.

Air Chief Marshal Hannan is the senior-most Bangladesh armed forces officer denied US and Canadian visas. Well-placed and informed sources in Bangladesh’s current power structure disclosed to Northeast News that not only did the US and Canadian authorities rejected Hannan’s visa applications, they also denied visa to his spouse. Hannan was appointed Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) chief in June 2021, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat.

According to the sources, Hannan’s objective in visiting the US and Canada was to explore the possibilities of acquiring four Bell helicopters for the BAF at a time when Bangladesh’s armed forces have made significant acquisitions of military hardware from China, thereby raising India’s hackles.

In August 2022, there were credible reports that indicated that Bangladesh had procured 36 F-7BGI multi-role aircraft from China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. BAF had shown keen interest in acquiring eight advanced Chinese F-7 MG aircraft in 2000 following a deferred payment offer by Beijing. BAF’s fleet of current fighter aircraft includes two squadrons of F-7 MBs, besides an assortment of other Chinese and Russian fighter planes, including the Yak-130 and MIG-29UB and Antonov An-32, among others.

BAF also reportedly operates a host of helicopters, including the Bell UH-1N, Bell 206 and Mi-17 (both American), and military-purpose choppers acquired from Russia, Italy, Czech Republic and Germany.

While it is yet not clear whether the Joseph Biden administration will consider imposing measures stronger and more effective than just visa restrictions on key Bangladeshi individuals and officials, the May 24 public announcement observed that the “holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society and the media”.

At that time, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken had declared that the new visa policy was being set in motion to “lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh”.

 

US, Canada recently denied visa to Bangladesh Air Chief Hannan​

Even as visa restriction policy was in force, BAF chief’s visit was aimed at exploring possibilities of acquiring four Bell helicopter​

Air-Chief-Marshal-Shaikh-Abdul-Hannan-2-1024x703.jpg

Bangladesh Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan during his visit to Air Force Station Barrackpore, West Bengal, in December 2022. (Photo: Twitter)

In a significant move with far-reaching consequences, Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan’s applications seeking visas for visits to the United States and Canada were rejected by consular officials at the two foreign embassies in Dhaka about a month ago.
The visa denial by the US and Canada to Hannan comes four months after the State Department, acting in ways to “support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair and peaceful national elections”, announced a new sweeping policy which empowers the US “to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh”.

In an official note on May 24 this year, the US State Department categorised “current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services”. The US authorities notified the Bangladeshi government of this “decision” on May 3, 2023.

Air Chief Marshal Hannan is the senior-most Bangladesh armed forces officer denied US and Canadian visas. Well-placed and informed sources in Bangladesh’s current power structure disclosed to Northeast News that not only did the US and Canadian authorities rejected Hannan’s visa applications, they also denied visa to his spouse. Hannan was appointed Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) chief in June 2021, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat.

According to the sources, Hannan’s objective in visiting the US and Canada was to explore the possibilities of acquiring four Bell helicopters for the BAF at a time when Bangladesh’s armed forces have made significant acquisitions of military hardware from China, thereby raising India’s hackles.

In August 2022, there were credible reports that indicated that Bangladesh had procured 36 F-7BGI multi-role aircraft from China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. BAF had shown keen interest in acquiring eight advanced Chinese F-7 MG aircraft in 2000 following a deferred payment offer by Beijing. BAF’s fleet of current fighter aircraft includes two squadrons of F-7 MBs, besides an assortment of other Chinese and Russian fighter planes, including the Yak-130 and MIG-29UB and Antonov An-32, among others.

BAF also reportedly operates a host of helicopters, including the Bell UH-1N, Bell 206 and Mi-17 (both American), and military-purpose choppers acquired from Russia, Italy, Czech Republic and Germany.

While it is yet not clear whether the Joseph Biden administration will consider imposing measures stronger and more effective than just visa restrictions on key Bangladeshi individuals and officials, the May 24 public announcement observed that the “holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society and the media”.

At that time, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken had declared that the new visa policy was being set in motion to “lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh”.

What is this gibberish? BAF bought 36 F7-BGI in 2022????
 

I thought it was fake news when I read about it last year. I was of the understanding Chengdu Aircraft Corporation had closed the production line. Another stop-gap measure?

Even if it is true, I don't think we received those 36 F-7s yet. They would have definitely announced otherwise.
 

US, Canada recently denied visa to Bangladesh Air Chief Hannan​

Even as visa restriction policy was in force, BAF chief’s visit was aimed at exploring possibilities of acquiring four Bell helicopter​

Air-Chief-Marshal-Shaikh-Abdul-Hannan-2-1024x703.jpg

Bangladesh Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan during his visit to Air Force Station Barrackpore, West Bengal, in December 2022. (Photo: Twitter)

In a significant move with far-reaching consequences, Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan’s applications seeking visas for visits to the United States and Canada were rejected by consular officials at the two foreign embassies in Dhaka about a month ago.
The visa denial by the US and Canada to Hannan comes four months after the State Department, acting in ways to “support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair and peaceful national elections”, announced a new sweeping policy which empowers the US “to restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh”.

In an official note on May 24 this year, the US State Department categorised “current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services”. The US authorities notified the Bangladeshi government of this “decision” on May 3, 2023.

Air Chief Marshal Hannan is the senior-most Bangladesh armed forces officer denied US and Canadian visas. Well-placed and informed sources in Bangladesh’s current power structure disclosed to Northeast News that not only did the US and Canadian authorities rejected Hannan’s visa applications, they also denied visa to his spouse. Hannan was appointed Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) chief in June 2021, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat.

According to the sources, Hannan’s objective in visiting the US and Canada was to explore the possibilities of acquiring four Bell helicopters for the BAF at a time when Bangladesh’s armed forces have made significant acquisitions of military hardware from China, thereby raising India’s hackles.

In August 2022, there were credible reports that indicated that Bangladesh had procured 36 F-7BGI multi-role aircraft from China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. BAF had shown keen interest in acquiring eight advanced Chinese F-7 MG aircraft in 2000 following a deferred payment offer by Beijing. BAF’s fleet of current fighter aircraft includes two squadrons of F-7 MBs, besides an assortment of other Chinese and Russian fighter planes, including the Yak-130 and MIG-29UB and Antonov An-32, among others.

BAF also reportedly operates a host of helicopters, including the Bell UH-1N, Bell 206 and Mi-17 (both American), and military-purpose choppers acquired from Russia, Italy, Czech Republic and Germany.

While it is yet not clear whether the Joseph Biden administration will consider imposing measures stronger and more effective than just visa restrictions on key Bangladeshi individuals and officials, the May 24 public announcement observed that the “holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society and the media”.

At that time, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken had declared that the new visa policy was being set in motion to “lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh”.


But US says nothing about India carrying out an assassination on Canadian soil 🤣🤣🤣
 
Love the news. Bd need sanction to restore democracy.

But US says nothing about India carrying out an assassination on Canadian soil 🤣🤣🤣
They will wait till investigation is done. You can’t make comments until it’s confirmed. Saudis got caught. Unless canada produces similar evidence every one will wait.
 
I thought it was fake news when I read about it last year. I was of the understanding Chengdu Aircraft Corporation had closed the production line. Another stop-gap measure?

Even if it is true, I don't think we received those 36 F-7s yet. They would have definitely announced otherwise.
Usually, BD armed forces do not announce purchase like Pakistan and India. Well, this has been the policy since 1971 not to alert its neighbors.

I believe, not all 36 jets have been received. It takes to build and supply.

But, I do not understand why the BAF achieve is under the US sanction.
 
BD bought some F7s a while back....

This is fake news....however 36 of them would have given us numerical depth and enhanced interception capacity from the current ragged state....

What is true is china offered BD the entire F7 production line. BD should have then and I say still take up that offer if available and start manufacturing the jets sans engine and get some experience in the sector.

F7s can not take the fight to the enemy but still good enough for point defense, interception and establishing presence.
 
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The issue is why Shaikh Hannah should be sanctioned by America?

Knowable someone may answer this core issue. I could not find any clue. A Chief is acting whatever is needed for his force.

So, could a new induction of F-7BGI from China be a reason ? If not , then why?
 
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BD bought some F7s a while back....

This is fake news....however 36 of them would have given us numerical depth and enhanced interception capacity from the current ragged state....

What is true is china offered BD the entire F7 production line. BD should have then and I say still take up that offer if available and start manufacturing the jets sans engine and get some experience in the sector.

F7s can not take the fight to the enemy but still good enough for point defense, interception and establishing presence.

Better to get a J-10 production facility, assembly etc.
 
China may have to refuse J-20 planes considering its military relationship with Burma and trade relationship with India.
I told the Bengali people before! I said SAC is very short of money now. Bangladesh should invest in SAC. This way you can get the J-31 and its technology.

At that time, Bangladeshis could advise the government to do so.

But now everything is over.
 
China may have to refuse J-20 planes considering its military relationship with Burma and trade relationship with India.

J-10 I said. They won't refuse, they will happily sell. The J-10 is not their best, so they have no problem exporting it. It will also kind of show BD is in their camp, a win for their diplomacy and influence.
 
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