Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has urged all parties involved in the ongoing Gulf tensions to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation and loss of life.
He made the call during a meeting with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, as part of Kapur’s two-day visit to Dhaka.
According to a ministry statement, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-United States relations, particularly in economic cooperation, trade and investment, based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Dr Khalilur Rahman highlighted the government’s “Bangladesh First” policy under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying Dhaka seeks balanced engagement with regional and global partners to advance national development and shared prosperity.
Kapur congratulated the new government, describing the recent general election as peaceful and credible.
He also referenced a congratulatory letter sent by US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and expressed optimism about continued growth in bilateral ties.
The US official underscored the importance of implementing provisions of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement to expand trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
Discussions also focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East, with the foreign minister calling for restraint from all sides and stressing the need for an early diplomatic settlement to reduce casualties and regional instability.
The meeting further reviewed the Rohingya crisis, with Bangladesh appreciating continued US humanitarian assistance and seeking sustained international support for a durable solution.
Prior to meeting the foreign minister, Kapur held discussions with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.
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