During discussions in Washington, D.C., Bangladesh and the U.S. reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, defence, the Rohingya issue, and Indo-Pacific affairs.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam paid a brief visit to Washington on 18 May, where she held meetings with senior US government officials, as well as leaders of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Atlantic Council, a foreign ministry’s press release stated.
During a meeting at the US Department of State, the state minister and US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory of Bangladesh-US relations.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening partnership across various areas of mutual interest, including trade, energy, defence cooperation, the Rohingya issue, Indo-Pacific affairs and people-to-people contacts.
They also stressed the necessity of regular high-level engagements to maintain momentum in the growing bilateral relationship.
Earlier, the state minister met with US Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) Andrew Veprek and thanked the United States for its continued support of the Rohingya cause.
Both sides agreed to work together to ensure the safe, sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
During her visit, Shama Obaed Islam also met IRI President Dr Daniel Twining at the organisation’s headquarters in Washington.
She appreciated IRI’s longstanding partnership in supporting Bangladesh’s democratic development and commended its election observation delegation for promoting transparent and credible elections in the country.
The state minister represented the government's dedication to inclusive democracy, women's political engagement, youth empowerment, safeguarding religious minorities, and bolstering media and civil society abilities.
She later spoke at an Atlantic Council roundtable discussion, emphasising Bangladesh's democratic transition, economic openness, and well-rounded foreign policy.
She reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to regional stability and positive engagement with surrounding nations while mentioning the expanding collaboration between the US and Bangladesh in trade, energy, technology, and education. Following the discussion, the state minister held a bilateral meeting with Atlantic Council Executive Vice-President Jenna Ben-Yehuda.
During the meeting, she reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to constitutional democracy, inclusive development, women’s empowerment, minority rights and regional stability.
She also signified the importance of sustaining international attention on the Rohingya crisis and called for greater engagement by leading US policy institutions to promote a balanced and objective understanding of Bangladesh globally.
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