Press Xpress
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Geopolitics
  • Politics
  • Election
    • US Election
    • UK Election
    • India Election
  • Diplomacy
  • International
  • STEM
  • More
    • Art & Culture
    • Business
    • CrossBorder
    • Diary
    • Economy
    • Bangladesh
      • Agriculture
    • Interview
    • Security
    • Sports and Entertainment
Press Xpress
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Geopolitics
  • Politics
  • Election
    • US Election
    • UK Election
    • India Election
  • Diplomacy
  • International
  • STEM
  • More
    • Art & Culture
    • Business
    • CrossBorder
    • Diary
    • Economy
    • Bangladesh
      • Agriculture
    • Interview
    • Security
    • Sports and Entertainment
LOGIN
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Top Posts
Canada Includes Duty-Free access for Bangladesh till 2034
Is the United States Changing its Tune on Bangladesh?
FAIR POLLS, ELECTION COMMISSION’S OPTIMUM ROLE AND EVM USE
NIGHTMARE RETURNS
No to BNP’s Violence: US Press Sec. Vedant Patel
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY UPDATE: WHERE DOES BANGLADESH STAND?
Boycotting EC’s Dialogue, BNP Proves Incompetence Again
IMPACT OF EXTERNAL DEBT ON BANGLADESH ECONOMY
AWAMI LEAGUE GENERAL SECRETARY: WHO’S NEXT?
ASHRAYAN PROJECT: A ‘SHEIKH HASINA MODEL’ FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
ROLE OF NGOs: CHARITY OR BUSINESS?
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Press Xpress
Press Xpress
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Geopolitics
  • Politics
  • Election
    • US Election
    • UK Election
    • India Election
  • Diplomacy
  • International
  • STEM
  • More
    • Art & Culture
    • Business
    • CrossBorder
    • Diary
    • Economy
    • Bangladesh
      • Agriculture
    • Interview
    • Security
    • Sports and Entertainment
SUBSCRIBE NOW LOGIN

© 2022 PressXpress All Right Reserved.
Geopolitics

Dhaka to host Bangladesh-US Defense Dialogue on August 23-24

by Press Xpress August 22, 2023
written by Press Xpress August 22, 2023
Dhaka to host Bangladesh-US Defense Dialogue
Share 0FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
759

In a letter addressed to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President Joe Biden emphasized the robustness of their defense collaboration, underscoring that it has reached unprecedented levels

The US and Bangladesh are set to conduct a defense dialogue in Dhaka on August 23-24. Both countries seek to bolster security partnerships in response to the changing geopolitical dynamics.

Brig Gen Thomas J James, heading the strategic planning and policy division at the US Indo-Pacific Command, will guide the American delegation. On the other hand, Brig Gen Husain Muhammad Masihur Rahman, the director general of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, will lead the Bangladesh team.

According to diplomatic sources, the meeting will address topics such as the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, military cooperation, training initiatives, counterterrorism measures, and strategies for humanitarian assistance and disaster management.

You can also read: Promising developments: Bangladesh-US relations on a positive track?

At the conference, Washington’s amplified commitment to fostering closer ties with Bangladesh in the spheres of democracy, human rights, trade, investment, and regional security takes center stage.

Purpose of the Defense Dialogue

These dialogues are typically conducted between the defense and military officials of the two nations. The conversations address the ongoing bilateral exercises, during which both countries take mutual decisions to amplify the intricacy of the drills.

Defense dialogues provide an opportunity to discuss and coordinate efforts on a range of security-related issues, such as cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster response, and violence. Sharing knowledge and resources can lead to more effective joint responses to common challenges.

In the face of global terrorism and insurgency threats, defense dialogues facilitate coordination in intelligence sharing, strategy development, and dual operations to counter these threats effectively.

Military-to-military cooperation, training programs, mutual exercises, and information sharing are some of the vital topics of discussion. Also, dialogues are used as a platform for meetings related to arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These talks contribute to international efforts to reduce the risk of conflict and ensure global security.

Furthermore, defense dialogues provide a framework for discussing and coordinating responses to natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

The 8th Bilateral Defense Dialogue between US and Bangladesh

Overcoming a one-year pause due to the Corona pandemic, Bangladesh hosted the 8th US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue on March 20, 2022. The presence of Victoria Nuland, the US Undersecretary of Political Affairs, on March 19, held particular importance as she is ranked third in the hierarchy of the State Department. Engaging in dialogue, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Masud Bin Momen headed the Bangladeshi team, with the primary goal of fostering a strong and enduring relationship.

The dialogues occurred in two phases. Bangladesh voiced its concerns about the unjustified nature of US sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Meanwhile, the US appealed to Bangladesh for its backing in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The central focus of the discussion initiated during the latter part of the dialogue, aimed to mend the rifts in bilateral relations.

President Joe Biden of the United States expressed his confidence in the longevity of the Dhaka-Washington relationship, foreseeing its continuation for the next half-century and more. In a letter addressed to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he emphasized the robustness of their defense collaboration, underscoring that it has reached unprecedented levels.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Victoria Nuland stated, “In a world undergoing change due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, endangering international norms and human rights, Bangladesh and the US stand united to ensure the protection of democracy and human rights”.

The recently designated US Ambassador to Dhaka, Peter Haas, spoke highly of Bangladesh’s role in stimulating peace and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific region. He expressed the US’s interest in partnering with Bangladesh to realize mutual aspirations.

Why the US is Focused on Closer relations with Bangladesh?

Diplomatic connections between the two countries commenced on April 4, 1972, as the United States officially acknowledged the newly established Bangladesh. Throughout the past half century, both countries have maintained friendly relations. In the past ten years, collaboration in trade, investment, and security with a special focus on counterterrorism, has become more vigorous.

In 2019, the two-way trade had surged to $9 billion, witnessing a 12% increase from the previous year, with US shipments to Bangladesh accounting for $2.3 billion. Concurrently, Bangladesh’s exports to the US also surged by 9.5%, reaching $6.7 billion.

Among South Asian nations, Bangladesh stands as the third largest beneficiary of US assistance, underscoring the significance of their bilateral ties. The US has commended Dhaka for its commendable role in sheltering Rohingya refugees, showcasing its humanitarian commitment.

The increased attention paid by the United States to democracy and human rights in Bangladesh invites scrutiny into the underlying motivations for this current approach. One potential viewpoint is that the US envisions a strategic position for the nation within its Indo-Pacific strategy.

Bangladesh maintains its faith in the significance of the Non-Aligned Movement. It’s essential for the US to acknowledge Dhaka’s alignment with Washington.

The perspective from Bangladesh is that the US sanctions are rooted in geopolitical motives, whereas the US argues that the actions of the Rapid Action Battalion negatively impact the rule of law, human rights, basic freedoms, and economic progress for the people of Bangladesh. Dhaka interprets the US sanctions as components of a broader South Asian geopolitical agenda.

Whilst sanctions and investment remain paramount concerns for Bangladesh, the United States is focused on securing its interests within the region. Safeguarding its position in the Indo-Pacific amidst ongoing great power competition is imperative for the US. To achieve this goal, the US is strategizing the signing of two defense pacts with Bangladesh: GSOMIA and ACSA.

However, last week, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen stated that Dhaka’s stance is against signing any defense pacts before the elections, as the government’s immediate priorities revolve around development needs.

Signs of progress have been evident in both countries for some time. Bangladesh has initiated human rights cells and dispatched human rights reports, all while the US has confirmed its commitment to partnering with Bangladesh to ameliorate the human rights situation.

Last but not least, Bangladesh aspires to catalyze South Asian economic transformation, forging partnerships with the US and the European Union, and working collaboratively to bolster the Indo-Pacific strategy’s principles. If properly comprehended, this could lead to the “revitalization of Bangladesh-US relations” in the forthcoming era within this complex global landscape.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
important-2
Avatar photo
Press Xpress

Expressing news & enlightening thoughts through neutral, clear and concise narration and beyond. All in a single platform.

previous post
Can the new methods of mosquito control fight against dengue?
next post
Thailand’s Political Landscape Shifts: Srettha Thavisin Named Prime Minister Amidst Complex Challenges

You may also like

Emerging Trilateral Synergy: Can Bangladesh–India–Cambodia Forge a New...

May 29, 2025

UK-EU Summit Seen as a Crucial Step Toward...

May 18, 2025

Why India and Saudi Arabia are the Cornerstones...

May 16, 2025

From Cold War to Strategic Ally in US-Cambodia...

May 14, 2025

Surprisingly Trump Ushers in Trade Reset with China

May 13, 2025

How Foreign Influence Shaping Africa’s Political Landscape ?

May 11, 2025

Recent Posts

  • NCP’s ‘March to Gopalganj’: State’s  80 Crore Taka Questioned

    July 26, 2025
  • Bangladesh Security Forces Accused of Brutality Amid Student Protests Over Crash Casualties

    July 22, 2025
  • From the Sky Came Fire: Bangladesh Military’s Shameful Role in Milestone School Tragedy

    July 22, 2025
  • Air Force Training Aircraft Jet Crashes into Milestone College Campus in Dhaka, Many Feared Dead

    July 21, 2025
  • GOPALGANJ MASSACRE: A Nation Bleeds While a Regime Consolidates Power

    July 19, 2025

Newsletter

Subscribe PressXpress Newsletter for new posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

Contact

  • Business Centre, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Email: info@pressxpress.org
    px.pressxpress@gmail.com
  • Support: contact@pressxpress.org

Press Xpress

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise With Us

Privacy

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Register New Account
© 2024 Press Xpress All Right Reserved.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube
Press Xpress
  • Home