Washington: A 24-member delegation from Bangladesh's National Defence College (NDC), led by Commandant Lt Gen Md Faizur Rahman, has embarked on a comprehensive study tour across the United States as part of the National Defence Course 2026. The delegation's visit began on September 9, aimed at enhancing their understanding of global security, defence cooperation, and international relations.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the delegation's itinerary included significant engagements with senior US and international officials. On September 11, they visited the US Department of State, where Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur welcomed them. The discussions revolved around bilateral relations, regional security, and defence cooperation, culminating in an interactive question-and-answer session.
The delegation was received at Dulles International Airport by Defence Attach© Brigadier Gen Mohammad Monowar Hossain Khan and Minister (Consular) Md Mahbubur Rahman. On September 14, they visited the Pentagon, where Rear Admiral Stephen Aldridge and Jay Wise welcomed them. The focus of these discussions was on the current state and future prospects of Bangladesh-US defence relations.
Subsequently, the delegation visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, where Ambassador Tareq Mohammad Ariful Islam provided insights into the embassy's activities. Their visit continued with engagements at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on September 15. Neelkanth Mishra and Md Abdur Rahman Khan facilitated discussions on Bangladesh's economic development and global economic trends.
The delegation also participated in sessions at the National Defense University (NDU) and the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies. They were welcomed by Ambassador Roxanne Cabral and Ambassador John Desrocher, and discussions included strategic security and defence education.
After completing their Washington engagements, the delegation proceeded to New York on September 15, visiting the United Nations Headquarters the following day. Brigadier Gen Yakhaya Diop greeted them, and they also visited Bangladesh's Permanent Mission to the UN.
The extensive study tour provided the delegation with in-depth insights into the US national security system, strategic planning, and international relations, enriching their understanding of global affairs and UN peacekeeping operations. The delegation is set to return to Bangladesh today after their informative visit.