US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor Meets Bangladesh Foreign Minister in Dhaka

United States Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India Sergio Gor held talks with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Thursday during his first official visit to the country, describing the discussions as productive and highlighting “lots of positive developments” in efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship.

Gor arrived in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon for a three-day visit, the first by a senior U.S. diplomat in this capacity since the BNP-led government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office earlier this year. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka confirmed his arrival, with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen welcoming him and stating that the visit would further strengthen the U.S.-Bangladesh strategic partnership, regional security, and economic cooperation.

In a post on X following the meeting, Gor wrote: “It was great to meet Foreign Minister Khalil Rahman during my first visit to Bangladesh and discuss working together to strengthen the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship. Lots of positive developments.” The meeting took place at the State Guest House Padma.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman had earlier described the visit as an “exploratory or understanding visit,” noting that Gor, whose portfolio covers South and Central Asia, would seek to better understand Bangladesh’s priorities and engage with multiple stakeholders beyond government officials. The two had previously interacted on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in the Philippines, where Rahman also met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with Gor present.

During his stay, Gor is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and is expected to engage with political leaders, professionals, and civil society representatives. On Friday, he plans to visit Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to assess the humanitarian situation firsthand. The United States remains the largest international contributor to the Rohingya response.

The visit comes amid Bangladesh’s active diplomatic outreach under the current government, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent trip to China and engagements with other partners. Diplomatic sources indicated that discussions are likely to cover bilateral ties, regional security, economic cooperation, trade, Bangladesh’s foreign policy direction, and the future of Dhaka-Washington relations. Officials on both sides have expressed optimism that the high-level engagement will add new momentum to the multidimensional partnership.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam had earlier voiced hope that the visit would bring a new dimension to relations, emphasizing stronger ties under the current government and potential expansion of cooperation in trade, economic diplomacy, and people-to-people contacts.

Gor, who also serves as U.S. Ambassador to India and was previously Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel, is the third senior U.S. official from Washington to visit Bangladesh since the new government assumed office, following earlier trips by other officials focused on South and Central Asian affairs and trade.

The talks underscore ongoing efforts by both sides to deepen engagement across strategic, economic, and regional issues at a time of shifting dynamics in South Asia.