Washington/Dhaka. US President Donald Trump has written a special letter to the newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tariq Rahman, congratulating him on his historic victory. But the diplomatic and strategic messages hidden behind this formal congratulatory message have intensified the stir in the politics of South Asia. Trump not only talked about trade relations, but has also put on the table a big proposal to equip Bangladesh’s army with ‘American weapons’.

The most surprising thing about the letter written by President Trump is his comment regarding defense cooperation. Trump wrote in the letter, I hope that you will take decisive steps to complete those regular defense agreements, which will ultimately give your military access to the world’s best, high-class military equipment made in America.

Why is this statement special?

Experts believe that this statement of Trump points towards America’s bigger role in the modernization of Bangladesh’s army. Till now Bangladesh has been largely dependent on other countries for its military needs, but America now wants to strengthen its influence in the region by giving it ‘world-class’ weapons.

Trade deal: a matter of benefit for farmers and laborers

Along with defence, Trump has also expressed his desire to take trade relations between the two countries to new heights. In the letter he stressed on the implementation of the ‘Agreement on Reciprocal Trade’. Trump expressed hope that this trade deal will directly benefit the farmers and workers of both the countries. He wrote that a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific region’ is possible only when sovereign nations prosper together.