Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, on 4 August.
The meeting took place at 1:30pm at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said the talks covered humanitarian assistance and Bangladesh’s capacity and contribution in disaster management.
Rahman recalled the U.S. Operation Sea Angels response after the 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh.
Koehler referred to Bangladesh’s participation in naval exercises.
He said the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, or CARAT, exercise is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh in November.
Koehler also mentioned Bangladesh’s participation in the Sea Vision Exercise in Singapore and expressed hope for its future participation in RIMPAC exercises and training.
The discussions included mutual understanding and progress concerning GSOMIA, identified as the General Security of Military Information Agreement.
Bangladesh’s side said it attaches importance to ties with the United States and seeks deeper cooperation.
Koehler said there were opportunities for Bangladesh and the United States to work together and praised Bangladesh’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations in Africa.
Rahman said Bangladesh’s global position has consistently been in favour of peace.
Officials including the prime minister’s foreign affairs and defence advisers, the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh and Bangladesh’s ambassador to the United States attended.