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Bangladesh has said it places high importance on its relationship with the United States and is keen to further strengthen bilateral ties through broader and more forward-looking cooperation.
The remarks were made during a courtesy meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Shahadat Shadhin said the Bangladeshi side reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing relations with Washington.
The two sides discussed humanitarian assistance as well as Bangladesh’s capabilities and contributions to disaster management.
During the meeting, the prime minister recalled Operation Sea Angels, the U.S.-led humanitarian mission launched after the devastating 1991 cyclone that struck Bangladesh.
Admiral Koehler highlighted Bangladesh’s participation in various multinational naval exercises and announced that the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise will be held in Bangladesh in November.
He also noted Bangladesh’s participation in the Sea Vision Exercise in Singapore and expressed hope that the country would take part regularly in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and related training programmes in the future.
“There are many opportunities for Bangladesh and the United States to work together,” Admiral Koehler said, expressing optimism that bilateral relations would continue to grow.
He also praised Bangladesh’s significant contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations in several African countries.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Defence Adviser Brig Gen (Retd.) Dr A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam, the Director General of the North America Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials.
