BD-US Security Dialogue held

Washington DC,  Oct. 4 (NsNewsWire) — The sixth round of annual Security Dialogue between Bangladesh and the USA was held
at the US Department of State on 3 October 2017. Bangladesh Delegation was led by Abida
Islam, Director General (Americas), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the US delegation was
led by Mike Miller, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political Military Affairs of
the United States Department of State. The dialogue was held in a cordial and friendly
environment. The dialogue covered a wide range of security cooperation issues related to
defense, peace keeping, counterterrorism and civilian security including regional issues.
The issue of more than half a million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to
Bangladesh since 25th August 2017 featured prominently in the dialogue. The safe and
sustainable return of these people to Myanmar was emphasized in the day-long dialogue. The US
side highly appreciated Bangladesh’s humane approach in providing temporary shelter and
emergency humanitarian assistance to these Myanmar nationals fleeing the violence in the
Rakhine State. Bangladesh side expressed its deep appreciation for US’s support to Bangladesh
in handling this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The US side recognized Bangladesh’s role as a trailblazer in peacekeeping and
commended Bangladesh’s pioneering role in contributing the very first women-only contingent
of UN peacekeepers to Haiti.
Counterterrorism and countering violent extremism being the principal component of
Bangladesh-USA civilian security cooperation was discussed in the dialogue at a great length.
Both sides expressed their willingness to continue with their cooperation and share expertise in
fighting this menace in any forms or manifestations.
The seventh round of Bangladesh-US Security Dialogue will be held in Dhaka in 2018 at
a mutually convenient date.