US urges Bangladesh to join Pax Silica, boost trade and tech ties

Dhaka,UPDATED: Aug 1, 2026 16:04 IST

US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka and discussed bilateral ties, trade, investment and regional cooperation, according to local media reports. During the meeting, Gor called on Bangladesh to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative, which focuses on critical minerals, energy, semiconductors and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, which cited Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gor said Bangladesh had significant potential to become a partner in the global economic security alliance. Pax Silica, led by the US State Department, aims to reduce reliance on Chinese dominance in technology.

State-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha quoted Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin as saying that the two sides also discussed issues of mutual interest. After the meeting, Gor, who is also the US Ambassador to India, wrote on X: "Today I called on the Honourable Prime Minister @trahmanbnp to discuss the great opportunities between the US and Bangladesh to strengthen economic cooperation and enhance our partnership. This is a priority for the United States, and working together we can achieve real results."

Gor also expressed confidence in Rahman's leadership and said stability had returned to Bangladesh under him, the BSS report said. He said the US had revised its travel advisory for Bangladesh, sending what he described as an important message to American investors that the country was ready for investment. Rahman, in turn, urged the US to invest in warehousing, soybean, cotton, wheat and other agricultural sectors in Bangladesh, saying this would help build a strong and competitive supply chain. He also underlined Bangladesh's interest in drawing US investment into the information technology sector. Gor said US investors were keen to organise a summit in Bangladesh.

The Rohingya crisis also figured in the talks. Gor praised Bangladesh for sheltering displaced people from Myanmar and continuing humanitarian assistance for them. Rahman thanked the US for providing more than half of the international assistance for the Rohingyas. Gor stressed the need for a swift, sustainable and political solution to the crisis, and highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts involving ASEAN, neighbouring countries and other relevant stakeholders. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen and senior officials from both sides were present at the meeting.

The meeting covered economic cooperation, investment, regional issues and the Rohingya crisis, while also bringing up Bangladesh's possible participation in the Pax Silica initiative and fresh US investment interest in the country.

With PTI Inputs

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