UNB, Dhaka :Recognising the shared threats, Bangladesh and the United States have agreed to jointly address the global challenge in countering violent extremist groups, including Da’esh (ISIL) and Al Qai’da.”Bangladesh and the USA recognise the shared threats they face and that countering violent extremist groups, including Da’esh (ISIL) and Al Qai’da, constitutes a global challenge that must be addressed jointly,” according to joint statement of the fifth US-Bangladesh partnership dialogue.In light of the global circumstances and in recognition of the threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism around the world, the two countries have demonstrated their shared commitment to broadening and deepening their partnership, including on security and counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism.The Partnership Dialogue between the two countries was held on June 23-24 in Washington, D.C. However, the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington issued the joint statement on Saturday. US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque led their respective sides at the dialogue. “As a way to deepen our cooperation, we’re announcing Bangladesh’s participation in the US Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund (CTPF), which will enable Bangladesh and the United States to expand our bilateral counterterrorism partnership and support program to advance the collaboration,” the statement reads.The CTPF-supported programmes would strengthen Bangladesh-US cooperation in responding to evolving radicalisation and terrorist threats, help improve partnerships between the civilian-led counterterrorism elements, and address the conditions that give a rise to extremism.It said, cooperation on security seeks to reinforce Bangladesh’s ability to improve community policing, and provide training on counter-messaging, among others. “We’re also developing career civil servant prosecutors that can specialise in bringing violent extremists to justice, and prevent, address, and counter transnational crime,” the statement reads. Additional assistance includes security training to demonstrate our shared commitment of the two countries to promote and protect human rights.This cooperation is a tangible demonstration of the two countries’ firm resolve to counter violent extremism in the region and beyond. The United States welcomed the Bangladesh Navy’s 2016-2018 Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. The two countries look forward to the upcoming Security Dialogue, where the two sides will discuss future opportunities for defence and security collaboration.
