Bangladesh and the United States have agreed in principle at the political level 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).
The negotiations, which have continued for nearly a decade, are now gaining renewed momentum as Dhaka seeks to diversify its defence partnerships while maintaining its long-standing policy of strategic balance among major powers.
Officials familiar with the discussions say the agreements are largely technical and administrative in nature rather than military alliances, though they carry significant geopolitical implications as regional powers closely monitor developments.
GSOMIA is a legally binding framework that enables the secure sharing and protection of classified military information between the United States and partner countries. It is widely considered a prerequisite for access to advanced American military technology, sophisticated defence platforms, and deeper operational cooperation.
ACSA, meanwhile, facilitates logistical support and reciprocal services between armed forces during exercises, humanitarian missions, training, and peacekeeping operations. Under the arrangement, both countries would be able to provide services to each other’s military assets on a reciprocal basis.
For example, Bangladeshi naval or non-combat vessels could receive logistical support at designated US facilities, while American naval ships visiting Bangladeshi ports such as Chattogram would be entitled to specific services.
These services could include food, fuel, transportation, communication support, medical services, storage, repair and maintenance, airport and seaport access, and temporary use of non-lethal military equipment.
Dhaka and Washington had previously reached agreement on draft texts of the defence deals, but the initiatives faced strong resistance from sections of Bangladesh’s security establishment.
A former chief of a Bangladeshi security agency told TIMES of Bangladesh, “During the Sheikh Hasina regime, both countries had reached an informal understanding to sign the agreements. However, the agencies perceived serious security risks if the deals were concluded.”
He said there were particular concerns about some provisions of the ACSA framework, under which the establishment of temporary facilities for visiting military assets might become permanent.
“In practice, if the US military felt it required a certain type of facility for operational support, it could seek to build that infrastructure. There was concern within the agencies that such arrangements might gradually pave the way for establishing a US military foothold in Bangladesh,” he said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
According to the former official, some intelligence agencies believed Washington viewed Bangladesh as a strategically important outreach point in the Indo-Pacific region, and that signing the agreements could strengthen long-term US operational access.
“That was one of the key reasons why the security agencies strongly opposed the deals during the Awami League government,” he added.
However, when contacted, a senior official at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, told TIMES, “We have no knowledge of negotiations regarding the two instruments.”
More than 70 countries, including key Indo-Pacific partners such as India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, have signed similar agreements with Washington.
Security analysts say the ongoing negotiations reflect Dhaka’s broader effort to modernise its defence capabilities while avoiding excessive dependence on any single power.
Defence diversification and strategic gains
Bangladesh has traditionally relied heavily on China for military hardware, including submarines, aircraft, naval systems, and defence technology.
In recent years, however, Dhaka has increasingly sought to diversify its procurement sources, with the country recently expanding defence cooperation with Turkey, particularly in procuring drone and artillery manufacturing, while also maintaining engagement with Western and regional partners.
Analysts believe closer defence cooperation with Washington could provide Bangladesh with greater access to advanced military technology, operational flexibility, and diplomatic leverage.
At the same time, Dhaka is expected to seek broader economic and political benefits from stronger ties with the United States, including trade advantages and enhanced strategic support in the Indo-Pacific region.
The negotiations on GSOMIA and ACSA gained additional momentum after US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on 18 February, congratulating him on assuming office and stressing the importance of stronger bilateral cooperation.
In the letter, Trump highlighted shared interests in promoting a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” expanding trade, and finalising long-pending defence arrangements.
Diplomatic observers say the message reflected Washington’s growing strategic interest in Bangladesh due to its geographic importance between South Asia and Southeast Asia and its location near critical maritime routes in the Bay of Bengal.
American policymakers increasingly view Bangladesh as an important regional partner in maintaining maritime security, economic connectivity, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Regional sensitivities and balancing act
Despite the potential benefits, security and diplomatic experts say the negotiations are unfolding within a highly sensitive geopolitical environment.
They noted that regional powers, particularly China, Japan, and India, are closely watching Dhaka’s evolving defence engagement with Washington.
Sources familiar with recent diplomatic contacts informed TIMES that a small Bangladeshi delegation recently held a meeting with representatives from the United States and several other important regional stakeholders at a hotel in the Euston area of London to exchange notes on the deals.
Former foreign secretary Md Shahidul Haque described Bangladesh’s position as a delicate balancing exercise requiring careful diplomacy and skilled negotiating manoeuvre. “It is an extremely complex exercise of simultaneously hedging and balancing,” he said.
He further said, “When we talk about balancing between China and the US, we should not forget other important players like India, Russia, and Japan. In other words, there must be a critical balance among all the important stakeholders of Bangladesh while designing Bangladesh-China future relations.”
Shahidul Haque said the process was comparable to “walking on thin ice” and argued that success would largely depend on the skill of negotiators and political leadership.
He noted that Dhaka and Washington had previously reached agreement on similar texts that were not accepted by the then political leadership.
The former top diplomat also pointed out that the United States pursues a broader strategy aimed at limiting China’s regional and global influence.
According to him, Bangladesh’s recent reciprocal tariff agreement with Washington, combined with ongoing defence-related negotiations, could create an additional layer of sensitivities in its relationship with China.
“There must be a strong effort from Bangladesh to convince China that whatever arrangements Dhaka has with Washington, or with any other country, will not be harmful to Beijing,” Shahidul Haque said.
Recalling Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2016 visit to Dhaka, he said both Washington and New Delhi closely monitored the development at the time.
“Bangladesh repeatedly assured its development partners that the visit was important for Dhaka and whatever Bangladesh and China would do and its outcome would not harm any third country,” he added.
Security analyst Brig Gen (retd) Bayezid Sarwar, in an optimistic tone, said such deals will improve both deterrence and reconnaissance capacity of Bangladesh. However, he cautioned that Dhaka should be able to negotiate robustly to maintain its strategic autonomy.
