Dhaka to seek Washington’s wider, diversified cooperation

GBNews24 Desk//

Bangladesh will seek wider and diversified cooperation from the United States and demand again the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on its elite force RAB as the minister-level bilateral meeting is set to take place in Washington on April 4.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is scheduled to leave for the USA on Saturday night (tonight) to hold a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Antony J. Blinken at the US Department of State on the very day of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

“We’ll raise it (reconsidering sanctions),” said Dr Momen ahead of his visit, reiterating that they (Rab members) are very efficient and effective; and by and large they are free from corruption and there should be a positive response from the US side.

Terming Bangladesh a peaceful and peace-loving country, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is less interested in defence procurement from the US but wants to engage in those areas which ensure people’s welfare.

During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland’s recent visit, the US side shared a ‘draft’ on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a ‘gateway’ to do more on the security front.

“We’re very confident that we’ll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together,” she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka.

Nuland indicated the two countries would be involved in series of engagements this year and described the partnership dialogue as the appetizer on a very big feast that they are going to have this year.

The United States is pushing to conclude certain foundational defense agreements – GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are “essential” to enabling a closer defense relationship, expanding opportunities for defense trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between our two countries.