BD, US reaffirm expanded partnership in trade, energy, defence
Bangladesh and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across trade, energy, defence, the Rohingya crisis and Indo-Pacific engagement.
During a series of high-level meetings held in Washington, DC on Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam met senior officials of the US State Department alongside representatives of leading American policy institutions.
During a meeting at the State Department, the State Minister held talks with S Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Both sides expressed satisfaction over what they described as the “upward trajectory” of Bangladesh-US relations.
According to officials, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy security, defence cooperation, the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, Indo-Pacific affairs and people-to-people connectivity.
The two sides also emphasised the importance of maintaining regular high-level dialogue to sustain momentum in the growing partnership.
Earlier, the State Minister met Andrew Veprek at the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). During the meeting, she thanked the United States Government for its continued support for Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh.
Both sides agreed to continue working together to ensure the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar amid growing international concern over declining humanitarian assistance for the displaced population.
As part of her engagements in Washington, Shama Obaed Islam also met Daniel Twining, President of the International Republican Institute.
The State Minister praised the organisation’s longstanding cooperation with Bangladesh in supporting democratic development and acknowledged the role played by IRI election observers in promoting transparent and credible elections in the country.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive democracy, youth empowerment, women’s participation in politics, protection of religious minorities and strengthening civil society and media institutions.
Later in the day, the State Minister addressed a roundtable discussion hosted by the Atlantic Council, where she highlighted Bangladesh’s democratic transition, economic openness and balanced foreign policy approach.
In her remarks, she underscored the growing Bangladesh-US partnership in trade, energy, technology and education, while reaffirming Dhaka’s commitment to regional stability and constructive engagement with neighbouring countries.
The State Minister also took questions from participants attending the hybrid event before holding a bilateral meeting with Jenna Ben-Yehuda.
During the meeting, she reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to constitutional democracy, inclusive development, women’s empowerment and minority rights.
She also called for sustained international attention to the Rohingya crisis and urged leading US policy institutions to promote a balanced and objective understanding of Bangladesh globally.
Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, alongside representatives from the US State Department, IRI and the Atlantic Council, attended the meetings and events.
