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The 9th Bangladesh-US Security Dialogue, which ended in the capital on Tuesday, covered various topics including the Indo-Pacific outlook of Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the USA, upcoming national elections, security assistance, defence trade and cooperation.
In addition to purely defence-related matters, the dialogue also addressed various other security-related areas, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen informed journalists after the meeting ended.
He noted that both sides stressed the necessity of holding such meetings regularly to remove any kind of misunderstanding.
Momen also mentioned that Bangladesh requested the US to lift sanctions against the RAB (Rapid Action Battalion), and in response, the US side emphasised the need to adhere to the proper legal procedures.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in both civil and military security domains.
They also discussed non-traditional security issues including climate change, energy security and transnational crimes. Bangladesh reiterated its stated position of “zero-tolerance” against any form of terrorism and emphasised continued cooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
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 training, sharing of information and joint exercises. The US side responded affirmatively to Bangladesh’s call for working together in 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, a spokesperson of the foreign ministry mentioned.
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.
Ms Resnic made a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen after the dialogue.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com