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Top US Navy official due on Friday

Diplomatic Correspondent
US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will arrive in Dhaka on Friday on a three-day official visit to strengthen the defence relationship between the two countries.
"Secretary Mabus's visit to Bangladesh is intended
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to deepen the bilateral security relationship between the United States and Bangladesh, and offer appreciation to the government of Bangladesh for its continued friendship and support to the US," said a press release of the US embassy in Dhaka.
He is the highest official of the American Navy with the rank and status of a minister and is considered as the de facto defence minister of the US.
The US leader will discuss regional priorities, peacekeeping, defence reforms, and security assistance to identify opportunities to further develop the relationship between the two countries, mentioned therelease.
Officials in Dhaka consider the trip very important as it takes place following recent visits by several high-ranking US officials, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
During his visit Mabus is expected to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and three chiefs of the armed forces, said foreign ministry sources.
He will leave Dhaka on
July 15.
Officials said since receiving its first Foreign Military Financing (FMF) from the US in 2005, Bangladesh has focused on building patrol boat fleet for the coast guard. The initiative supports maritime security and disaster relief and strengthens the government's presence in Isolated areas.
The US is helping Bangladesh to better control its borders and coastlines to tackle terrorists, pirates, traffickers, and other transnational actors, which can exploit the weakness of states to cause mayhem and instability.
Bangladesh and the US had their first security dialogue in April when US Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Andrew J Shapiro led an American delegation to Dhaka.
"Bangladesh is a key player in maintaining security in the Bay of Bengal. They are an active partner in the regional counterterrorism efforts and we are working to enhance their ability to respond to natural disasters,” Shapiro told a roundtable in Washington DC on April 24