Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman clarified that defence issues were not part of the agenda during his recent meeting with US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur. In his statement on Wednesday, Dr Khalilur emphasized that neither the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) nor the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) was mentioned throughout the discussions.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the meeting focused on other aspects of bilateral relations, with no mention of the foundational defence agreements, GSOMIA and ACSA, which are typically pivotal for enhancing defence ties, trade, and cooperation between the two nations. These agreements are known for their significance in facilitating closer military collaboration and information exchange.
The meeting also saw the presence of Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen, indicating a broader diplomatic engagement beyond defence matters. The discussions appear to have centered on other strategic interests, leaving room for future dialogues on defence cooperation.