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other issues of mutual interest.

At the outset, Salahuddin welcomed the ambassador and said the US is a close ally of Bangladesh and has been working as a close partner in counterterrorism and the security sector.

Christensen said America wants to strengthen relations with Bangladesh.

He said the US is interested in implementing the SPEAR programme to consolidate security arrangements for the US embassy in Dhaka and the wider diplomatic area.

The envoy said a memorandum of understanding needed to be signed quickly for the programme, otherwise the US fund could be returned or shifted elsewhere.

The home minister said the government wants to implement the programme soon with approval from the highest level.

The US ambassador also congratulated Salahuddin on assuming charge of the home ministry.

On illegal migration, the envoy said the US wants to implement the ENV programme in Bangladesh, adding that its implementation would bring Bangladesh into a “green zone” in the US immigration sector.

He said the US has long supported Bangladesh in counterterrorism, adding that since 2010 it has trained around 30,000 Bangladesh police officers -- from investigating officer level to deputy inspector general (DIG) level --and provided necessary equipment. However, he said the support has not yielded the desired results due to officers’ retirement and transfers.

Salahuddin assured the diplomat of necessary steps and instructed relevant ministry officials to organise a meeting or workshop with the stakeholders.

Among others, Joint Secretary Rebecca Khan of the Political-1 Wing of the Home Ministry, and US embassy officials Eric Geelan, Shane Sanders, Tanik Munir, and Riley Palmertree were present at the meeting.