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agreement, whether with the US or any other country, will be signed only after the government and all relevant agencies determine, through consultations, that it serves the interests of the country and its people. Beyond that, no deal is expected to be signed,” the state minister said.

The General Security of Military Information Agreement is a foundational government-to-government bilateral agreement that would allow greater collaboration and sharing of classified military information, including intelligence and classified information on US defence equipment, a diplomatic source told UNB.

It is a reciprocal, legally binding agreement that ensures governments understand and commit to protecting classified military information at an equivalent level of security.

The state minister paid a brief visit to Washington, DC, on May 18 and met senior US government officials at the US Department of State, as well as senior leaders of the International Republican Institute and the Atlantic Council.

Shama Obaed also met US Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur at the US State Department.