The third security dialogue between Bangladesh and the US is set to begin today in the capital with a view to strengthen cooperation in the areas of strategic priorities, military-to-military engagement and counterterrorism.
The Secretary (bilateral) of the Foreign Ministry Mustafa Kamal will lead the Bangladesh side of the dialogue while Acting Assistant Secretary Thomas Kelly will lead the visiting team.
Both sides will discuss regional priorities and issues that include India, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Indian Ocean region.
The officials will review the last military-to-military dialogue held in November of last year in Dhaka and discuss maritime security, potential cooperation in command and intelligence.
Outcomes of the security dialogue will be discussed at the partnership dialogue led by the foreign secretary in June. The previous security dialogue was held in Washington last year.
Peacekeeping operations and counterterrorism issues will be highlighted in the dialogue, said sources.
The officials will exchange views on defence trade, the purchase of arms under the Excess Defence Article and review international military education. Bangladesh usually procures US arms under the Excess Defence Article initiative. “These are the agendas fixed for discussion during the dialogue,” said a Foreign Ministry official.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque said the dialogue will enhance partnerships in peacekeeping, counterterrorism and security cooperation as well as joint military exercises and exchanges.
He said cooperation between the countries has increased – in training, information sharing and counterterrorism – and collaboration in other areas has also increased since the first dialogue in 2012.
About the regional briefing, he said both the countries will discuss strategic relationships with regional countries in terms of security issues.
“Bangladesh would like to know the US-India relationship while the US may want to know about the Bangladesh-Myanmar relationship,” Shahidul said.
