US assistant secretary begins two-day Dhaka visit with talks at foreign ministry
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Paul Kapur, began a two-day official visit to Dhaka on Tuesday, holding meetings at the foreign ministry shortly after arriving in the capital.
Kapur met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister Shama Obaed in his first round of talks, signaling Washington’s intent to engage closely with Bangladesh’s new political leadership.
This marks the first visit by a senior US official to Bangladesh since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party assumed office.
The US envoy arrived in Dhaka late Monday night after completing a three-day trip to India, underscoring Washington’s broader regional engagement strategy in South Asia. During his stay, Kapur is scheduled to meet Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir to discuss cooperation in energy security, trade expansion and investment opportunities. Bangladesh is seeking increased US investment in its energy infrastructure and greater access to the American market for its exports.
In the evening, Kapur will meet members of the business community and attend a dinner with key stakeholders to explore avenues for strengthening commercial ties.
On the second day of his visit, Kapur is set to hold discussions with leaders from several political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
He is also scheduled to meet the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humayun Kabir.
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