US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka on Thursday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. The meeting took place at the Padma State Guest House on the first day of Gor’s three-day visit to Bangladesh, after he arrived in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. Officials said the two sides met with their delegations after 6 p.m., followed by about 20 minutes of private talks between Gor and the foreign minister.

Diplomatic sources said the roughly hour-long discussion covered the Dhaka-Washington strategic partnership, wider bilateral relations, regional security and global cooperation. In a verified Facebook post by the US Embassy in Dhaka, Ambassador Brent T. Christensen said the visit would further strengthen strategic partnership, regional security and economic cooperation. Gor said he was pleased to meet the foreign minister during his first Bangladesh visit and discuss working jointly to strengthen bilateral relations, adding that positive progress had occurred.

Gor is scheduled to visit Cox’s Bazar on Friday to observe conditions facing Rohingya refugees. On Saturday, the final day of the visit, he is expected to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Diplomatic sources said Bangladesh’s foreign-policy priorities, regional strategic position and the future of Dhaka-Washington relations may also receive attention during the trip.