Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in both civil and military security domain and also discussed non-traditional security issues including climate change, energy security and transnational crimes.
Both the sides reached the agreement at the 9th Bangladesh-US Security Dialogue concluded successfully in Dhaka on Tuesday (Aug 5).
The dialogue covered various traditional and non-tradition security issues of mutual interest including Indo-Pacific outlook of Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the USA, upcoming national elections, security assistance, defense trade and cooperation, countering terrorism and violent extremism, transnational crimes and broader regional security issues.
Bangladesh reiterated its stated position of “zero-tolerance” against any form of terrorism and emphasized on continued cooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism, reads a Foreign Ministry press statement.
The meeting noted security cooperation as a key component in bilateral relations. The US side reiterated its support to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh in enhancing their capacity through various forms of trainings, sharing of information and joint exercises.
The US side responded affirmatively to Bangladesh’s call for working together in the maritime security matters.
Bangladesh reiterated that repatriation of Rohingyas is the ultimate solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis and sought greater international support to resolve the issue.
US side lauded Bangladesh for hosting more than a million Rohingyas and assured to remain beside Bangladesh in extending humanitarian assistance.
Khandker Masudul Alam, Director General, North America Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mira Resnick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the US State Department led their respective delegation.
Representatives of key Government Ministries and agencies of Bangladesh as well as the US Government and the US Embassy participated in the dialogue.
Later on Ms. Resnic made a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen when he reiterated to the US side that Bangladesh’s commitment to the people is to hold a free and fair election.
He said the Election Commission is taking preparations, but it can’t be said which political party is thinking what about the upcoming election.
The Foreign Secretary told reporters that they discussed all security related issues including energy security and cyber security and said the multifaceted relations between the two countries demand frequent engagement.
