No deal with US or any country without ensuring national interest: Shama Obaed

Amid speculation over a likely defence deal with the United States, Bangladesh today (23 May) said any deal - whether with the US or any other country - will only be signed when the government and relevant agencies determine that the interests of the country and its people are protected.

"Decisions regarding defence deals will not just come from the MoFA. There are relevant agencies where discussions take place and decisions are made. I can't tell you now from this (MoFA) ministry at what stage this remains," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter drew her attention to a defence deal with the US.

A section of media reported that Bangladesh and the US have agreed to reinforce defence cooperation, with both countries advancing negotiations on two long-discussed foundational agreements - the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).

"I am reiterating that any agreement, whether with the United States or any other country, will only be signed after the government and all relevant agencies, through consultations, determine that it serves the interests of the country and its people. Beyond that, no deal is expected to be signed," the State Minister further explained.

The GSOMIA is a foundational government-to-government bilateral agreement that will permit greater collaboration and sharing of classified military information in the form of intelligence and classified information on US defence equipment, a diplomatic source told UNB.

GSOMIA is a reciprocal, legally binding agreement that ensures governments understand and commit to protecting classified military information at an equivalent level of security.

The State Minister paid a brief visit to Washington, DC, on 18 May and met senior US government officials at the Department of State and senior leadership of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Atlantic Council.

The State Minister met US Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) S Paul Kapur at the State Department.

During the meeting, both the Bangladesh State Minister and the US Assistant Secretary expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of Bangladesh-US relations.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership across various aspects of mutual interests, including trade, energy, defense, the Rohingya crisis, Indo-Pacific, and people-to-people contact.

They underscored the importance of regular high-level dialogues to maintain momentum in the growing relationship.

The meeting was preceded by another meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Andrew Veprek at the bureau's office.

During the meeting, the State Minister thanked the United States government for their continued support of the Rohingya cause.

Both the State Minister and the Assistant Secretary (PRM) agreed to work together to ensure the sustainable and safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.