Dhaka, June 11 (UNB)— Bangladesh and the United States have agreed to work toward security and economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people ties in support of a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The two countries acknowledged the continuing challenge of terrorism, and the importance of adhering to human rights obligations while advancing security objectives, according to a joint statement issued after the 7th US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue held on Monday in Washington DC.
The meeting was co-chaired by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale.
Both sides agreed that the 8th Partnership Dialogue will be held in Dhaka at a mutually convenient time.
The US requested Bangladesh to continue the discussion on protection of classified military information shared between the two countries. Bangladesh indicated its interest in continuing the discussion.
The two governments shared cybersecurity objectives, and agreed to explore cooperation, training, and technical support to advance mutual interests in this regard.
The US also committed to providing additional security assistance for Bangladesh to increase maritime domain awareness, piracy, and regional security coordination in the Bay of Bengal, pending congressional approval.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to enduring partnership, highlighting close cooperation on security, development, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counterterrorism.
They agreed to continue to cooperate closely to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The US recognised Bangladesh’s leading role in peacekeeping operations. The two delegations highlighted their joint pledge for an operational-level unmanned aircraft system in partnership between Bangladesh as the troop contributing country and the United States in a capacity-building role, which was made during the March 2019 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in New York.
Rohingya crisis: Putting effective pressure on Myanmar
The two governments agreed to continue to work closely with the global community including the UN and international organisations to continue to support the Rohingyas, and host communities, and to put effective pressure on Myanmar for a resolution of the crisis.
The US lauded Bangladesh’s generosity in continuing to host more than one million Rohingyas from Myanmar.
Bangladesh thanked the US for its continuing support, including more than $494 million in humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh and Myanmar since August 2017.
The two governments emphasised the pressing need for Myanmar to address the root causes of the crisis, and to create the conditions necessary for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The US committed to engaging the international community to mobilise additional assistance for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas temporarily staying in Bangladesh.
US lauds Bangladesh’s growth
The US praised Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth and projected graduation from a least developed country to a developing country in 2024.
Bangladesh shared plans to facilitate foreign direct investment in support of infrastructure and energy projects.
Bangladesh hoped that the creation of Special Economic Zones in the country would encourage more foreign direct investment (FDI) from the US, which is already one of Bangladesh’s largest sources of FDI.
The US said it will continue to support US private sector involvement in Bangladesh while both countries expand commercial ties through fair, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial trade.
Washington said it will continue to promote US business engagement in support of Bangladesh’s development goals. It urged Bangladesh to continue progress on labour rights and workplace safety in line with ILO standards and practices in Bangladesh.
