PM, US admiral hold strategic talks
Bangladesh and the United States on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence and maritime cooperation as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held talks with Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, who praised Bangladesh’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations and underscored the scope for closer bilateral engagement.
During the courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, the two sides discussed humanitarian assistance, disaster management, naval cooperation and ways to further strengthen Bangladesh-US relations, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
Admiral Koehler highly commended Bangladesh’s role in United Nations peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, and acknowledged its growing contribution to international peace and security.
The meeting also reviewed Bangladesh’s capabilities and contributions in humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
Recalling the longstanding cooperation between the two countries, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman referred to the US-led Operation Sea Angels, launched after the devastating cyclone that struck Bangladesh in 1991.
The US Pacific Fleet commander highlighted Bangladesh’s participation in a number of bilateral and multinational naval exercises and announced that the next Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise would be hosted in Bangladesh in November.
He also referred to Bangladesh’s participation in the Sea Vision Exercise in Singapore and expressed hope that the Bangladesh Navy would regularly take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and other joint training programmes in the future.
The meeting reviewed progress on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between Bangladesh and the United States and discussed the mutual understanding reached on the proposed agreement.
According to the deputy press secretary, the Bangladesh side reaffirmed that it attaches great importance to its relationship with the United States and expressed interest in further deepening bilateral ties through broader and more contemporary areas of cooperation.
Admiral Koehler said Bangladesh and the United States have significant opportunities to work together and expressed optimism that relations between the two countries would continue to strengthen.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, “Bangladesh has always stood for peace across the world.”
Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Defence Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Director General of the North America Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
