The second United States and Bangladesh defence talks will begin in Dhaka on Tuesday to strengthen what the US embassy describes as bilateral cooperation on military issues.
According to the US embassy, ‘positive and substantial dialogue’ reflects the “breadth, depth, and strength” of the growing bilateral defence relationship.
It says it also reflects the two countries’ “shared commitment to peace and prosperity in the region”.
Washington has increased its military diplomacy with Dhaka in recent years as the Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Samuel J Locklear earlier said the US had key interest in Asia Pacific and South Asia.
He said last year Washington was ‘rebalancing’ its engagement in this region as its focus had shifted from the Middle East.
The first-ever Bangladesh-US security dialogue was held in Dhaka in April last year while military dialogue was held in Hawaii in September.
The US embassy on Monday said the purpose of the dialogue was “to broaden and strengthen bilateral cooperation on a wide range of military issues, and enhance partnerships in peacekeeping, joint military exercises and exchanges, counterterrorism, and security cooperation”.
The US Pacific Command will lead their side with representatives from US Army Pacific, US Pacific Fleet, US Pacific Air Forces, US Marine Corp Forces, Pacific; Special Operations Command Pacific, Oregon National Guard State Partnership Programme, Center for Excellence Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-West.
The Armed Forces Division will lead the Bangladesh side with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Disaster Management, Army, Navy, Air Force, Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh.
The dialogue will end on Thursday.-bdnews24.com
Meanwhie, US Representative Steve Chabot is due in Dhaka on today to discuss Bangladesh’s role in the region and its bilateral relations with the United States.
US embassy in Dhaka says he will also discuss the ongoing trials in the International War Crimes Tribunals and the overall security situation in Bangladesh and in the region.
Chabot is the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
He has served in Congress for 17 years as a representative of Ohio’s First Congressional District.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he will meet with the political leaders, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He will also meet the leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia and foreign minister Dipu Moni.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque will host a lunch in his honour on Tuesday at the State Guest House Padma.
Chabot is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday.
