The two-day 10th Defense Dialogue between Bangladesh and the US is starting today in Dhaka. Bangladesh will emphasize on increasing the defense cooperation between the two countries in this dialogue which started at 10 am at the AFD office.

Apart from this, regional and global security, cooperation and exchange of visits between military forces, countering disasters, combating terrorism and militancy will be important in the discussion.

Brigadier General Thomas J. James, director of strategic planning and policy of the Indo-Pacific Command, arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday to lead the US in the 10th Defense Dialogue.

Brigadier General Hussain Muhammad Masihur Rahman, Director General of Operations and Planning Division of the Armed Forces Department (AFD) will lead Bangladesh.

The Indo-Pacific or Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) will be important in this dialogue as part of the defense agreement proposed by Washington.
According to the related diplomatic sources, both countries will clarify their position on these issues in the dialogue. Besides, it is believed that the matter related to the purchase of weapons from the United States may also be discussed.

The Biden administration wants to prevent China’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific. That is why the United States is desperate to keep the friendly countries of the region, including India, on its side. That is why they are giving priority to democracy and human rights in IPS too. The US also wants a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific.

Regarding the importance of the United States in this defense dialogue, Brian Schiller, the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Dhaka, said, “The United States and Bangladesh share the same attitude towards a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific.”

In pursuit of mutual goals, the Bangladesh Armed Forces Department and the Indo-Pacific Command will hold a bilateral defense dialogue in Dhaka on August 23-24. It will be attended by senior military officers and civilians of the two countries.

They will discuss upcoming military exercises including military education, defense and disaster response exercises to be held next year. According to Washington sources, the United States will want to know how Bangladesh can play a role in the Indo-Pacific region in the dialogue. At the same time, the US representative will talk about Jisomiya and Aksa.

According to sources, the government wants to modernize the military to implement Forces Goal 2030. At the same time, Bangladesh is thinking of buying advanced weapons from other countries as well as the United States, reducing its dependence on Russia for the purchase of weapons due to its capabilities, modernity and geopolitical strategic considerations. This issue was discussed at the 9th Defense Dialogue held in Washington in May last year.

And the US cannot sell arms without the deal, the GSOMIA signing emphasizes. Bangladesh has already taken a policy decision regarding the proposed agreement. A clear position will be given in this defense dialogue.

According to sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government is in favor of moving slowly with the two defense agreements with the United States. Recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. AK Abdul Momen told reporters that there is no possibility of a defense agreement with the US before the next national elections.

SOURCE : WSN24