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Bangladesh affirmed on Saturday that any defense agreement it enters into, whether with the United States or any other nation, will be signed only after ensuring it serves the best interests of the country and its people.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam addressed reporters, emphasizing that defense deal decisions are not solely the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Instead, relevant agencies are involved in discussions and decision-making processes. While she could not provide a specific update on the current stage of talks, she reiterated the government's commitment to protecting national interests.

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Decisions regarding defense deals will not just come from the MoFA. There are relevant agencies where discussions take place and decisions are made. I can’t tell you right now from here at what stage the talks are at.

This statement comes amid speculation about a potential defense deal with the US, with media reports suggesting progress on foundational agreements like the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). GSOMIA, a government-to-government pact, facilitates the sharing of classified military information and intelligence.

During a recent visit to Washington D.C., the state minister met with senior US government officials. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing relationship between Bangladesh and the US, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, defense, the Rohingya crisis, the Indo-Pacific region, and people-to-people contact.

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I am reiterating that any agreement, whether with the US or any other country, will only be signed after the government and all relevant agencies, through consultations, determine that it serves the interests of the country and its people. Beyond that, no deal is expected to be signed.