Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday held a series of high-level bilateral engagements with his counterparts from the US, Russia, China and Pakistan on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Manila, highlighting Bangladesh’s continued efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations with key international partners.

During the meetings, the Foreign Minister exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, trade and investment opportunities, and matters of shared concern on the global stage, a diplomatic source told UNB.

Dr Khalilur is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ meeting and the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of Southeast Asia.

Adviser to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir accompanied the Foreign Minister in the meetings.

These meetings covered a broad spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, energy and connectivity, as well as regional and international issues, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During these meetings, the Bangladesh side underlined that the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy will guide Bangladesh’s external relations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio received the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on Wednesday afternoon in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Adviser Humaiun Kobir and US Ambassador to India and US President's Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor were present during the meeting.

Both sides discussed further enhancing Bangladesh-US bilateral relations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Secretary Rubio congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur on his victory in the election for the Presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister extended an invitation to the US Secretary of State to visit Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur, accompanied by Adviser Humaiun Kobir, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov led their respective delegations in the bilateral meeting held in Manila.

Both ministers discussed existing cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia, particularly in the energy sector.

The Russian Foreign Minister congratulated the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on his election as the President of the 81st UNGA and appreciated the newly formed Bangladesh-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group to institutionalise legislative cooperation.

Both sides agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Khalilur, accompanied by Adviser Humaiun Kobir, had a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

They discussed a wide range of issues to advance comprehensive cooperative partnerships to jointly build a China-Bangladesh Community with a shared future.

Rohingya repatriation, transport corridors, investment, energy and economic cooperation, among other matters, were discussed.

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar greeted each other.

The ARF platform provided an opportunity for participating countries to discuss pressing regional and international challenges and explore avenues for greater collaboration in promoting peace, security and development in the Asia-Pacific region.