Bangladesh and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with both sides focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, migration and regional issues during talks in Dhaka.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said relations with Washington are moving in a "very positive direction" following his meeting with U.S. President's Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Ambassador Sergio Gor at the state guest house Padma. According to BSS, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir also attended the meeting.

Rahman described the discussions as productive, saying both countries are looking to build on their longstanding partnership. He noted that the talks followed his recent meetings with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings in Manila.

The two sides also discussed continued international support for the Rohingya crisis, with Rahman noting that the United States remains Bangladesh's largest humanitarian donor for displaced Myanmar nationals. They also agreed on the importance of maintaining international pressure on Myanmar to help achieve a sustainable solution.

Rejecting media speculation, the foreign minister said the United States did not raise any proposal for a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar. He also said Bangladesh's ties with China and India were not discussed during the meeting.

On trade, Rahman said Bangladesh remains under the 10 percent U.S. tariff category and has secured improved market access for garments made with American cotton or U.S.-produced man-made fibres under a tariff quota arrangement. He added that discussions on lifting U.S. sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are continuing.

The meeting also touched on Rahman's upcoming role as President of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, while both sides exchanged views on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

BOB Post