State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam -File photo

DHAKA, May 23, 2026 (BSS) – State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said any defence agreement with the United States or any other country would only be signed after ensuring the protection of national interests through consultations with all relevant agencies.

“Any agreement, whether with the United States or any other country, will only be signed after the government and all relevant agencies determine through consultations that it serves the interests of the country and its people,” she said while responding to questions from a journalist at the foreign ministry this evening.

Asked about the proposed signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), the state minister said the issue involved not only the Foreign Ministry but also the armed forces and several other stakeholders.

She, however, said no discussion on military agreements took place during her recent visit to the United States.

The United States generally signs four categories of defence agreements with partner countries, beginning with GSOMIA, which facilitates the exchange and protection of classified military information.

The second agreement, ACSA, primarily relates to arms sales and logistical support.

The third agreement, CISMOA, deals with cooperation and exchange of weapons during joint operations, while the fourth, BECA, concerns the sharing of sensitive information, including missile and drone detection data.

During her recent visit to Washington, DC, State Minister Shama Obaed held meetings with senior US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur and Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Andrew Veprek.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the growing Bangladesh-US relations and reaffirmed commitments to strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, defence, the Rohingya issue, Indo-Pacific affairs and people-to-people connectivity.