Bangladesh–France relations relate to the foreign relationship between Bangladesh and France.
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The French first arrived in Bengal during the late 17th century. They maintained trading posts in Dhaka and other cities.[1] In 1757, France sent a contingent of troops to Bengal to fight against the British in the Battle of Plassey.[2] At the invitation of the President of France Emmanuel Macron , the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina is making an official visit to France from 9 November 2021. through this visit,the relationship to a new height. To do that, both Bangladesh and France will have to increase their socioeconomic, defence and political cooperation.[3]
In 1990, French President François Mitterrand paid an official visit to Bangladesh. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to Paris in 1999. Former Bangladesh Foreign Ministers Morshed Khan and Dipu Moni paid official visits to France in 2006 and 2010 respectively.[4] French Defence Minister Florence Parly visited Bangladesh on 9th March 2020. On these visits, she directly proposed Rafale MRCA to the Bangladesh Air Force MRCA Program when it has almost finalised the Eurofighter Typhoon has only one contender as the requirement of BAF[5]
Alliance Française has been promoting French culture in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) since 1959.[6] French archaeologists have worked with Bangladeshi colleagues on the excavation of Mahasthangarh since 1993 and have made a number of important discoveries.[7]
As of 2021, the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $2.4 billion of which Bangladesh's export to France amounts to $2.12 billion. France Export to the Bangladesh $225.97 million. Bangladesh mainly exports knitwear, woven garments, frozen food, agricultural products, leather, jute and jute goods to France. France's main export items include chemical products, electronics, transport products, wood and paper.[8]
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