US Assistant Secretary S. Paul Kapur Arrives in Dhaka for Two-Day Visit to Deepen Strategic, Economic and Indo-Pacific Cooperation

Riaj Uddin

Published : Tuesday, 3 March, 2026 at 10:34 PM Count : 110

Dhaka, Bangladesh — U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening strategic ties between the United States and Bangladesh, expanding bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing cooperation on regional security and Indo-Pacific engagement.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka welcomed Assistant Secretary Kapur’s visit, saying he would hold meetings with senior government officials and business leaders to explore new areas of collaboration and build on the growing momentum in U.S.–Bangladesh relations.

Prior to his arrival in Dhaka, Assistant Secretary Kapur concluded an official trip to New Delhi, India, where he engaged with Indian counterparts on shared priorities in regional security and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.

During his Dhaka visit, Kapur is expected to meet with newly appointed members of the Bangladeshi government and private sector representatives to discuss expanding trade ties, attracting U.S. investment, strengthening security cooperation, and advancing shared interests in maintaining stability and prosperity across South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

According to U.S. Mission spokesperson Poornima Rai, the discussions will focus on enhancing economic engagement, supporting Bangladesh’s development goals, and deepening collaboration on security and counterterrorism.

In the days leading up to Kapur’s arrival, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen held a series of courtesy meetings with newly appointed Cabinet members to highlight opportunities for partnership across key sectors. Embassy officials noted that Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors are poised for significant growth in the coming decade, and U.S. companies, including Boeing and major technology firms, are well positioned to support that expansion.

Following a meeting with Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, the U.S. Embassy said these sectors offered significant potential for investment and technology collaboration.

In separate engagements, Ambassador Christensen discussed shared priorities with Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, including cooperation to curb illegal immigration, combat human trafficking, and strengthen border security. His meeting with Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed focused on enhancing collaboration in security and counterterrorism efforts.

“The United States looks forward to working with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and regional security,” embassy officials said.

Assistant Secretary Kapur was sworn in as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on October 22, 2025. His visit to Bangladesh marks one of his first major engagements in South Asia since assuming the post.

In a recent message to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, U.S. President Donald J. Trump extended congratulations on his assumption of office and expressed hope for deeper defence cooperation between the two countries. President Trump emphasized that both nations could benefit from completing routine defence agreements, which would enable Bangladesh’s military to access advanced U.S. equipment.

“I look forward to working with you to make the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh stronger than ever before,” President Trump wrote, highlighting the foundation of mutual respect and shared interests in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific.

President Trump also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral trade, including through the implementation of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which he noted would benefit farmers and workers in both countries.

“We have an opportunity to make both of our nations more prosperous and secure,” Trump added, expressing confidence in Ambassador Christensen’s leadership in Dhaka.

Assistant Secretary Kapur’s visit signals renewed U.S. engagement with Bangladesh at a strategic juncture, reflecting Washington’s interest in advancing stronger ties across economic, security and regional cooperation fronts.

FP/Raj