Dhaka, Feb. 19 -- US President Donald J. Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his assumption of office and expressed hope for stronger defence cooperation between the two countries.

In his message to Tarique Rahman, President Trump said he expects the new Prime Minister to take decisive steps to complete the routine defence agreements that would enable Bangladesh's military to access high-end American-made equipment, which he described as the best in the world.

"I look forward to working with you to make the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh stronger than ever before," he said in a letter to PM Tarique, shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

President Trump said the partnership be...