Meeting between the Chief of Army Staff and the U.S. Ambassador

In a series of high-level courtesy meetings, Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman, and the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Dhaka, Brent Christensen, met yesterday at the Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. The official Facebook page of the Bangladesh Army reported that both leaders, accompanied by their delegations, exchanged cordial greetings and emphasised the enduring friendship between the two countries’ armed forces.

During the discussions, the focus was on the existing robust bilateral military relationship, avenues for future cooperation, and strategic collaboration. Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening military ties and furthering joint initiatives in training, operational readiness, and strategic dialogue.

In parallel, Ambassador Christensen also held a courtesy meeting with Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, at the Air Force Headquarters. The session involved a delegation led by the Ambassador and included exchanges on issues of mutual interest, with a shared commitment to enhancing civil-military collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Army Chief Discusses Election Preparedness in Sylhet

On the same day, General Waker-uz-Zaman visited Sylhet to meet senior officials and review preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections and nationwide referenda. The army chief emphasised the importance of peaceful, impartial, and well-organised elections, highlighting the role of inter-agency coordination and comprehensive security management.

Speaking at a conference in the Sylhet district administration hall, the Army Chief instructed senior military officers, law enforcement heads, and civil administration officials to uphold professionalism, neutrality, discipline, patience, and citizen-friendly conduct in carrying out their duties. He also observed frontline troops deployed under the “In Aid to Civil Power” framework and provided guidance on operational conduct and public engagement.

The Sylhet visit included consultations with senior military and civil officials, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Military Secretary of the Army, the Commandant of SI&T, the GOC of the 17th Infantry Division, the Area Commander of Sylhet, divisional commissioners, civil administration leaders, law enforcement officials, and representatives from local media outlets.

Key Meetings Overview

These engagements underline Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening defence diplomacy with the United States while ensuring national security, operational readiness, and professional conduct in support of civil authorities during critical national events.