Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Namazu Hiroyuki and Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam meet at the seventh Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations held in Dhaka on Wednesday. — Photo The Daily Star/Asia News Network

DHAKA — Bangladesh and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership, enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and addressing the Rohingya crisis.

The commitment came at the seventh Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations held in Dhaka on Wednesday, according to a statement of the foreign ministry.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Namazu Hiroyuki led their respective delegations at the consultations.

The two sides held comprehensive and forward-looking discussions on bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges, the BIG-B Initiative, green energy and people-to-people contacts.

They also discussed the repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, as well as regional and global issues and cooperation at the UN.

Namazu briefed the Bangladesh delegation on Japan’s vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and reaffirmed Tokyo’s continued cooperation with Bangladesh under the Economic Partnership Agreement, BIG-B Initiative and Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.

He also welcomed the recent handover of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.

The Japanese official highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries, saying its foundation was laid by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Foreign Secretary Asad expressed hope the EPA could help increase Japanese investment in Bangladesh and acknowledged Japan’s support for major development projects under the BIG-B Initiative.

These include the Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Power Project, Dhaka Metro Rail and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The foreign secretary sought Japan’s continued support in expanding bilateral trade and investment, promoting renewable energy and advancing sustainable development.

The two sides also stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties.

Siam called for more opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled workers in Japan and greater educational, cultural and civil society exchanges.

He said such exchanges were important for increasing mutual understanding and strengthening ties between the peoples of the two countries.

Highlighting the burden Bangladesh bears in hosting more than 1.1 million Rohingya, Siam reiterated the call for their sustainable return to Myanmar, while thanking Japan for its continued support.

On international issues, Bangladesh and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support on issues of common interest.

Namazu conveyed an invitation from Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time.

He also invited Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to visit Japan in his capacity as president of the 81st UN General Assembly.

Bangladesh, in turn, invited PM Takaichi to pay an official visit to Dhaka at a suitable time.

Later, Namazu Hiroyuki called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at the foreign ministry. — THE DAILY STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK