US Pacific Fleet commander meets PM, praises Bangladesh's UN peacekeeping role

Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet Admiral Stephen T. Koehler on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, praising Bangladesh's contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, while both sides explored ways to strengthen defence and strategic cooperation.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat, the two sides discussed humanitarian assistance, disaster management, bilateral naval cooperation and broader Bangladesh-US relations, Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said.

The discussion also focused on Bangladesh's capacity and contribution to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Recalling the longstanding partnership between the two countries, Tarique referred to the US-led Operation Sea Angel launched after the devastating 1991 cyclone that struck Bangladesh.

Stephen highlighted Bangladesh's participation in various multinational naval exercises and announced that the next Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise will be held in Bangladesh in November.

He also mentioned Bangladesh's participation in the Sea Vision Exercise in Singapore and expressed hope that the country would regularly take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and other military training programmes in the future.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the proposed General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between Bangladesh and the United States.

The Bangladesh side reaffirmed that it attaches great importance to its relationship with the United States and expressed interest in deepening bilateral ties through expanded and modernised cooperation, Shahadat said.

Stephen said Bangladesh and the United States have significant opportunities to work together and voiced optimism that bilateral relations would continue to strengthen.

"Bangladesh has always stood for peace across the world," the prime minister said during the meeting.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Director General of the North America Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials attended the meeting.