Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman today invited US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit Bangladesh as Dhaka and Washington discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Bangladesh foreign minister extended the invitation during a meeting with Rubio in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, said a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry here.   

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humyun Kabir, US Ambassador to India and US President's Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor were present during the meeting.

The two sides discussed ways to further enhance Bangladesh-US bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Rubio congratulated Khalilur on his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The foreign minister thanked the US Secretary of State and extended an invitation to him to visit Bangladesh.

The meeting took place as Bangladesh and the United States continue their engagement towards broadening and deepening bilateral cooperation.