The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has described the relationship between Bangladesh and United Kingdom as "close and strategic".

The Foreign Adviser said this following a meeting with UK Minister of Defence Des Browne on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore, according to a message received here today.

They discussed the ways and means of cooperation on defence training and security issues between the two countries.

The British Minister appreciated the modernizing values of Bangladesh and said that methodologies should be devised to reach this "narrative" to the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK.

He also called upon the Bangladeshi community in the UK to play a positive and constructive role in British politics soon.

Earlier, Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury also held a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama.

They discussed the agenda of the upcoming SAARC Summit in Colombo and agreed that the discussions in Colombo should focus on 'partnership', building on the previous theme of 'connectivity'.