Lots of positive developments, says Sergio Gor after meeting with Khalilur

US Special Envoy on South and Central Asia Sergio Gor today (30 July) met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and found lots of positive developments in Bangladesh-US relations.

“It was great to meet Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during my first visit to Bangladesh and discuss working together to strengthen the US-Bangladesh relationship. Lots of positive developments,” he said after the meeting held at the State Guest House Padma.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen were also present at the meeting.

US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Gor began his first official visit to Bangladesh on Thursday and will meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during his stay in Dhaka.

“I am delighted to welcome to Bangladesh my friend, the US 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, as well as regional security and economic cooperation, said the ambassador.

Referring to the visit, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday 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.

Gor currently serves as US Ambassador to the Republic of India. Additionally, President Donald J Trump appointed Ambassador Gor as the Special Envoy to South and Central Asia.

Previously, Ambassador Gor was Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House.

Under his leadership as director, thousands of political appointees across the federal government were hired in record time.

Prior to joining the White House, Ambassador Gor, along with Donald Trump Jr, founded Winning Team Publishing – one of the nation’s premier conservative publishing houses. Winning Team most notably published President Donald J Trump’s best-selling books.