US Asst Secy Paul Kapur arrives in Dhaka

Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur at the US Embassy, Dhaka on Tuesday.

Dhaka, Mar 3 - US Assistant Secretary S. Paul Kapur arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday a two-day visit to ‘strengthen strategic ties’ between Bangladesh and the United States and explore opportunities in diverse areas.

“We warmly welcome Assistant Secretary S. Paul Kapur to Bangladesh. Assistant Secretary Kapur will engage with government officials and business leaders to strengthen US-Bangladesh strategic ties,” said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday night.

He visited New Delhi, India (March 1-3) and discussed regional security and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific.

Assistant Secretary Kapur’s visit builds upon recent momentum to advance President Trump’s vision for robust and mutually beneficial US-India partnership.

During his visit, Assistant Secretary Kapur will meet with new government officials and business leaders to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment, enhancing security cooperation, and advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region, said U.S. Mission Spokesperson Poornima Rai on Monday.

Before Kapur’s arrival in Dhaka, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen had a series of courtesy meetings with the newly appointed Cabinet members over the past few days highlighting the opportunities in diverse sectors.

Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors are poised for growth over the next decade, and Boeing and US technology companies are the perfect partners, said the US Embassy in Dhaka after Ambassador’s meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita.

“Had an excellent meeting with Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman. Stopping illegal immigration and human trafficking and strengthening border security are shared priorities for both countries,” said Ambassador Christensen.

His meeting with Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed focused on strengthening their fight against illegal immigration, and deepening collaboration on security and counterterrorism.

The United States looks forward to working with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and the security of the region.

Paul Kapur was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on October 22, 2025.

US President Donald J. Trump has recently congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his assumption of office and expressed hope for stronger defence cooperation between the two countries.

In his message to Tarique Rahman last month, President Trump said he expects the new Prime Minister to take decisive steps to complete the routine defence agreements that would enable Bangladesh’s military to access high-end American-made equipment, which he described as the best in the world.

“I look forward to working with you to make the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh stronger than ever before,” he said in a letter to PM Tarique, shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Trump said the partnership between the two countries is based on mutual respect and a shared interest in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific where strong, sovereign nations can prosper.

“As you begin your term, I hope you will help me maintain the tremendous momentum in our trade relationship through the implementation of our Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which benefits farmers and workers in both of our countries,” he said.

President Trump said his Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent Christensen, has my full confidence. “Together, we have an opportunity to make both of our nations more prosperous and secure.” - UNB