A three-member US delegation has arrived in Dhaka to discuss with the government ways of strengthening diplomatic ties and addressing challenges.
They will also promote a shared vision for the advancement of mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region, the US embassy in Dhaka said on Saturday.
The US Embassy welcomed Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia (SCA), for the visit from February 24-26.
“The three principals will discuss with the government of Bangladesh ways to strengthen diplomatic ties, address challenges, and promote a shared vision for the advancement of mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region,” the embassy said.
Their visit will also include meetings with youth activist and civil society leaders, labour organizers, and those engaged in developing a free and uncensored media.
“The United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights, addressing climate change, advancing regional resilience to transnational threats, and promoting economic reforms.”
This is the first visit by any US official after Bangladesh’s January 7 general election.
The US did not find the election free and fair, but said they would continue to engage with Bangladesh to advance common interests.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, however, hoped that Dhaka and Washington would further deepen and widen with the visit of US officials to Bangladesh.
“Their visit to Bangladesh will make the relations deeper and wider,” he had recently said.
The foreign minister also referred to the letter of US President Joe Biden sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said that the message was important to take forward relations between the two countries.
President Biden wrote to Sheikh Hasina, expressing his willingness to work together to achieve Bangladesh's economic goals.
He also expressed willingness to partner with Bangladesh on their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
President Biden said in his letter: “The United States is committed to supporting Bangladesh's ambitious economic goals and partnering with Bangladesh on our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
As the two countries embark on the next chapter of the US-Bangladesh partnership, the US president said, he wanted to convey the sincere desire of his administration to continue their work together on regional and global security, economic development, climate change and energy, global health, humanitarian support, especially for Rohingya refugees, and more.
