US naval ships started a three-day training exchange programme with Bangladesh on Tuesday on the Bay of Bengal near Burmese territorial waters, said  an official source.

"The training programme started yesterday on the offshore island of Kutubdia in Cox's Bazaar District, located near the Burmese border. In the training, 200 US naval personnel are participating," the source said.

US Navy Commander Adam J. Welter is conducting the training with an estimated 200 naval personnel on board the USS Ingraham.

Commander Welter told journalists that the training is aimed at strengthening the relationship with Bangladesh through mutual cooperation and understanding.

The training is being conducted as part of a goodwill visit to Bangladesh, and will be carried out as the ship travels to Singapore from Bahrain, where it was engaged in anti-terror vigilance until two weeks ago.

The US and Bangladesh naval forces will share their experiences and knowledge as part of the training, not just militarily but also technical knowledge. Such joint military trainings are occasionally carried out by Bangladesh and the US in the Bay of Bengal.