Bangladesh keen to deepen ties with US
- Update Time : Tuesday, 4 August, 2026, 07:35 pm
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Online Desk : Bangladesh has reiterated that it attaches high importance to its bilateral relationship with the United States and is keen to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of areas, including defence, maritime security, disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The message was conveyed during a courtesy call by Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Stephen T. Koehler on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Prime Minister’s deputy press secretary Shahadat Swadhin said the meeting reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and explored opportunities for expanding cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the two sides discussed Bangladesh’s disaster management capabilities, humanitarian assistance and cooperation in responding to natural disasters. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recalled the US-led Operation Sea Angels, launched after the devastating cyclone that struck Bangladesh in 1991, describing it as a landmark example of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
Admiral Koehler highlighted Bangladesh’s growing participation in multinational naval exercises and informed the prime minister that the next Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise would be held in Bangladesh in November. He also referred to Bangladesh’s participation in the Sea Vision Exercise in Singapore and expressed hope that Bangladesh would become a regular participant in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises and other joint training programmes.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of discussions on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and broader defence cooperation between the two countries. Admiral Koehler said Bangladesh and the United States had significant opportunities to expand cooperation in maritime security, regional stability and humanitarian operations, expressing confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow.
He also highly praised Bangladesh’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, describing the country’s role as an important contribution to global peace and security. Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser Humaiun Kabir, defence adviser Brigadier General (retired) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Bangladesh ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.
