US State Department Assistant Secretary S Paul Kapur paid back-to-back courtesy calls on Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
During the meetings, both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including the conflict in Iran, overall political relations, trade and investment, defence cooperation, regional security and other matters of mutual interest. On the ongoing Iran war, the two sides explained their respective positions.
Paul Kapur arrived in Dhaka for a series of high-level meetings aimed at shaping the future trajectory of engagement between Bangladesh and the US.
He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Arsuda Khan, director of the North America Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His visit carries significance as it marks the first political-level engagement from Washington since the BNP-led government assumed office last month following its landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election held on 12 February.
Diplomatic observers view the visit as an early signal of the US intention to maintain close and constructive relations with the new administration in Dhaka.
US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on 18 February as setting the tone for future cooperation. In the letter, Trump highlighted trade expansion, defence collaboration and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region as key pillars of bilateral engagement, reflecting Washington’s broader strategic priorities in South Asia.
