Published : 04 Aug 2026, 11:15 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has met Admiral Stephen T Koehler, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, in Dhaka on Tuesday to discuss defence cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister's Office, covered progress and mutual understanding on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), as well as Bangladesh's capabilities and contributions in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin said.
During the talks, Tarique recalled the US-led Operation Sea Angels, the humanitarian relief mission launched after the devastating 1991 cyclone that struck Bangladesh.
Koehler arrived in Dhaka earlier on Tuesday for a three-day visit, leading a 22-member naval delegation.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the US admiral highlighted Bangladesh's participation in various multinational naval exercises and said the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise would be hosted in Bangladesh in November.
Koehler also referred to Bangladesh's participation in the Sea Vision Exercise held in Singapore and expressed hope that the country would take part in future editions of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and related training activities.
Bangladesh reaffirmed that it attaches high importance to its relationship with the United States and expressed interest in further deepening bilateral ties through broader and more contemporary cooperation.
Koehler said there were significant opportunities for Bangladesh and the United States to work together and voiced confidence that relations between the two countries would continue to expand.
The US commander also praised Bangladesh's contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping missions in several African countries.
Tarique said Bangladesh has consistently maintained a position in support of global peace.
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humayun Kabir, Defence Advisor retired Brigadier General AKM Shamsul Islam, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen, Bangladesh's Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam, the director general of the North America Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other high-ups were present at the meeting.
