US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy on South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor began his first official visit to Bangladesh on Thursday.
"I am delighted to welcome to Bangladesh my friend, the U.S. Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor," said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen.
His visit will strengthen Bangladesh-US strategic ties and regional security and economic cooperation, said the Ambassador.
Referring to the visit, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on wednessday described it as "exploratory," saying the envoy would seek a broader understanding of Bangladesh.
“He will want to understand Bangladesh. He will speak not only with us but also with many other stakeholders,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Dr Khalilur said Gor is expected to visit the Rohingya camps and noted that the United States remains the largest international contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian response.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh-US relations are multidimensional and that both sides want to advance the partnership further.
Asked whether Bangladesh expected any pressure from Washington regarding the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), he said, “We do not feel any kind of pressure.”
“We will never strengthen relations with one country at the expense of another. We seek to strengthen our relations with all countries while protecting and advancing Bangladesh’s national interests,” Dr Khalilur added.