Bangladesh is not in a hurry to sign the two defence-related agreements proposed by the US. The country also has no plan right now to procure arms from the US, high-ups of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the FE.
None of these issues will be Bangladesh's priority in the upcoming bilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen on April 4.
Washington wanted Dhaka to sign two defence agreements - the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), and draft of the agreements were sent to Bangladesh.
The foreign minister, who will start for Washington today (Saturday), told the FE that buying arms is not a priority for Bangladesh, as it has no enemy. "We are a peace-loving country, and we do not have any enemy with whom we will engage in war," he said while talking to the FE at his residence.
Responding to a question he noted that there is no pressure from the US to sign these agreements, and Bangladesh is not in a position to do anything under pressure from anybody. "Bangladesh has an independent foreign policy, and whatever we do will be done for the interest of people."
However, he mentioned that Bangladesh is scrutinising drafts of the agreements.
The foreign minister said withdrawal of the sanction on RAB by the US administration would be a major priority during the meeting, and Bangladesh expects a positive outcome from it.
The minister opined that despite being a strong advocate of human rights, the US is yet to handover Rashed Chowdhury, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to Bangladesh.
Replying to another question Mr Momen said enhancing bilateral trade and investment would be a major focus during his meeting with the US Secretary of State.
"The US is the largest investor in our country, and also the largest buyer of our RMG products. But their investment in Bangladesh is largely in the energy sector. So, we want them to make investment in other areas, as we have huge investment opportunities here."
"We have plans to set up 100 special economic zones, including the economic zones for IT sector, where the US can invest."
Replying to a question, the foreign minister mentioned that the US has not put any pressure on Bangladesh for joining the Indo-Pacific strategy. But he pointed out that the vision of Bangladesh on the Indo-Pacific is similar to the US Indo-Pacific philosophy.
"Like the US, we also want an open and free Indo-Pacific region, where the maritime trade and shipping will go on without any interruption and hindrance."
He noted that the Rohingya issue will also get focus in the meeting, and Bangladesh will request the US to play a more active role to ensure immediate repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
"The US and other big countries can also take all the Rohingyas to their countries," the minister added, referring to the shifting of family members of the slain Rohingya leader Muhibullah to Canada.
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