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[🇧🇩] The U.S.A.---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh
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US delegation visit: A new chapter in Bangladesh-US relations?
The symbolic value of the visit and its timing cannot be overemphasised, this being the first such visit since the change of guards in Dhaka on August 5.
US delegation visit: A new chapter in Bangladesh-US relations?
US delegates hold a talk with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on September 15, 2024. FILE PHOTO: COLLECTED
As expected, the recent visit to Dhaka by the US delegation led by Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for international finance at the US Department of Treasury, accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, and USAID and trade officials, was the subject of much speculation by all and sundry here, both prior to their arrival and since their departure.
The symbolic value of the visit and its timing cannot be overemphasised, this being the first such visit from any country since the change of guards in Dhaka on August 5—that, too, from Washington. Added to this is the fact that Donald Lu, a key figure in Bangladesh-US relations, landed in Dhaka after spending four days in Delhi attending the 2+2 dialogue, a regular event in the framework of Indo-US bilateral strategic relations, in which the confluences outweigh the divergences—or more appropriately, the diversions.
Official comments from both sides following the meetings between the US delegation and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, and the foreign secretary focused, among other things, on an "expression of strong commitment [from the US] to work with the interim government." The US embassy in Dhaka posted on its Facebook page, "Our delegation met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, affirming our dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts."
On the face of it, the emphasis was on Washington's readiness to provide economic, technical and financial support for reforms in areas such as the banking sector, which has been weakened as a primary vehicle for large-scale corruption and money laundering over the last decade and a half. The signing of an agreement under which the US would provide $200 million to Bangladesh as development support was possibly the first step in this journey.
For his part, Prof Yunus highlighted his administration's goals to quickly "reset, reform and restart" the economy, initiate financial sector reforms, and strengthen institutions. He then spelt out the steps taken so far in this pursuit, including the formation of six separate commissions to address reforms in key areas and state institutions, the most important of which was amending, or refixing, the country's constitution. The US delegation, in response, praised the chief adviser's leadership and expressed Washington's willingness to support his reform agenda.
In remarks to the media, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin noted that the US side also brought up the recent developments in Myanmar and humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya in Bangladesh. He said, "We spoke about eliminating the root causes of the Rohingya crisis." The significance of talking of the "recent developments in Myanmar" and linking that to "eliminating the root causes of the Rohingya crisis" cannot be lost, because implicit in this is a possible assessment of the role of military junta in Myanmar. Were they alluding to a regime change in Myanmar to facilitate the return of the Rohingya? One can only speculate.
In reviewing the public language from the US delegation, three words that should stand out are "support," "equitable," and "inclusive." It appears that Washington is focused on helping Prof Yunus and his team advance a process of political, social, and economic reforms, emphasising that sustainable and durable economic development is best achieved in a truly democratic environment—one that involves all segments of society. To achieve that, setting an arbitrary time frame for the interim government's tenure may not be the best path forward.
This aligns with comments made by US deputy secretary of state for management and resources, Richard Verma, at the Hudson Institute in Washington, where he said, "It is in everyone's interest to support a democratic, peaceful, and lawful transition in Bangladesh," adding that "the timing of fresh elections and the duration of the interim government is for the people of Bangladesh to decide." Verma's remarks should be viewed within the broader context of the US position on the dramatically changed situation in Bangladesh.
It is perhaps necessary to try and discern, if at all possible, what the hard political content of the discussions with the chief adviser was and what, if anything, was discussed in Delhi regarding the current situation in Bangladesh. Understandably, there were no public statements by either side on this. The US delegates' meeting with the chief adviser lasted at least an hour, and it is reasonable to assume that this time was not solely spent discussing the reform process, which is already publicly known.
Further inquiry should focus on the political talking points, as well as the immediate, mid-term and long-term implications for Bangladesh on the broader geopolitical stage, especially given Washington's visible support for the interim government in Dhaka. In the prevailing global political climate, relations between states, large and small, do not remain confined to the bilateral frame only—they spread wider into the region and beyond. Similar visits, therefore, from others including Washington's allies before the year is over cannot be ruled out. It will also be of great interest to watch what transpires at the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this month in New York, assuming such a meeting takes place.
Observers believe the visit signals a retooling of Bangladesh-US relations, which have been noticeably strained in recent times. The imposition of sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and some of its officials by the US Department of Treasury, along with a visa restriction policy affecting certain officials, did not go down well in Dhaka. At the same time, repeated public references by the former prime minister to the US seeking a military base in St Martin's Island in exchange for Washington's support were cases in point. Washington's open criticism of the non-participatory and severely flawed national elections, particularly in 2018 and 2024, further strained the relationship.
Shamsher M Chowdhury, Bir Bikram is a former foreign secretary of Bangladesh.
US delegates hold a talk with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on September 15, 2024. FILE PHOTO: COLLECTED
As expected, the recent visit to Dhaka by the US delegation led by Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for international finance at the US Department of Treasury, accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, and USAID and trade officials, was the subject of much speculation by all and sundry here, both prior to their arrival and since their departure.
The symbolic value of the visit and its timing cannot be overemphasised, this being the first such visit from any country since the change of guards in Dhaka on August 5—that, too, from Washington. Added to this is the fact that Donald Lu, a key figure in Bangladesh-US relations, landed in Dhaka after spending four days in Delhi attending the 2+2 dialogue, a regular event in the framework of Indo-US bilateral strategic relations, in which the confluences outweigh the divergences—or more appropriately, the diversions.
Official comments from both sides following the meetings between the US delegation and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, and the foreign secretary focused, among other things, on an "expression of strong commitment [from the US] to work with the interim government." The US embassy in Dhaka posted on its Facebook page, "Our delegation met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, affirming our dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts."
On the face of it, the emphasis was on Washington's readiness to provide economic, technical and financial support for reforms in areas such as the banking sector, which has been weakened as a primary vehicle for large-scale corruption and money laundering over the last decade and a half. The signing of an agreement under which the US would provide $200 million to Bangladesh as development support was possibly the first step in this journey.
For his part, Prof Yunus highlighted his administration's goals to quickly "reset, reform and restart" the economy, initiate financial sector reforms, and strengthen institutions. He then spelt out the steps taken so far in this pursuit, including the formation of six separate commissions to address reforms in key areas and state institutions, the most important of which was amending, or refixing, the country's constitution. The US delegation, in response, praised the chief adviser's leadership and expressed Washington's willingness to support his reform agenda.
In remarks to the media, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin noted that the US side also brought up the recent developments in Myanmar and humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya in Bangladesh. He said, "We spoke about eliminating the root causes of the Rohingya crisis." The significance of talking of the "recent developments in Myanmar" and linking that to "eliminating the root causes of the Rohingya crisis" cannot be lost, because implicit in this is a possible assessment of the role of military junta in Myanmar. Were they alluding to a regime change in Myanmar to facilitate the return of the Rohingya? One can only speculate.
In reviewing the public language from the US delegation, three words that should stand out are "support," "equitable," and "inclusive." It appears that Washington is focused on helping Prof Yunus and his team advance a process of political, social, and economic reforms, emphasising that sustainable and durable economic development is best achieved in a truly democratic environment—one that involves all segments of society. To achieve that, setting an arbitrary time frame for the interim government's tenure may not be the best path forward.
This aligns with comments made by US deputy secretary of state for management and resources, Richard Verma, at the Hudson Institute in Washington, where he said, "It is in everyone's interest to support a democratic, peaceful, and lawful transition in Bangladesh," adding that "the timing of fresh elections and the duration of the interim government is for the people of Bangladesh to decide." Verma's remarks should be viewed within the broader context of the US position on the dramatically changed situation in Bangladesh.
It is perhaps necessary to try and discern, if at all possible, what the hard political content of the discussions with the chief adviser was and what, if anything, was discussed in Delhi regarding the current situation in Bangladesh. Understandably, there were no public statements by either side on this. The US delegates' meeting with the chief adviser lasted at least an hour, and it is reasonable to assume that this time was not solely spent discussing the reform process, which is already publicly known.
Further inquiry should focus on the political talking points, as well as the immediate, mid-term and long-term implications for Bangladesh on the broader geopolitical stage, especially given Washington's visible support for the interim government in Dhaka. In the prevailing global political climate, relations between states, large and small, do not remain confined to the bilateral frame only—they spread wider into the region and beyond. Similar visits, therefore, from others including Washington's allies before the year is over cannot be ruled out. It will also be of great interest to watch what transpires at the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this month in New York, assuming such a meeting takes place.
Observers believe the visit signals a retooling of Bangladesh-US relations, which have been noticeably strained in recent times. The imposition of sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and some of its officials by the US Department of Treasury, along with a visa restriction policy affecting certain officials, did not go down well in Dhaka. At the same time, repeated public references by the former prime minister to the US seeking a military base in St Martin's Island in exchange for Washington's support were cases in point. Washington's open criticism of the non-participatory and severely flawed national elections, particularly in 2018 and 2024, further strained the relationship.
Shamsher M Chowdhury, Bir Bikram is a former foreign secretary of Bangladesh.
Saif
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Yunus, USAID administrator discuss diverse areas to deepen cooperation
UN Human Rights chief lauds interim government’s reform initiatives
Yunus, USAID administrator discuss diverse areas to deepen cooperation
UN Human Rights chief lauds interim government’s reform initiatives
File photo
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has discussed diverse areas to deepen cooperation between Bangladesh and the USA with USAID Administrator Samantha Power.
They specifically discussed cooperation in the areas of transport, energy, justice and youth.
The meeting was held yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
On Tuesday, the United States announced nearly $199 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the needs of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and the region, including over $129 million through USAID and nearly $70 million from the US Department of State.
US Department of State Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced the funding at a Rohingya-focused event during the UN General Assembly High-level week.
USAID's assistance includes funding from the bipartisan National Security Supplemental as well as $78 million from the US Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation, which will help to purchase, ship, and distribute approximately 52,200 metric tonnes of food commodities from American farmers to approximately 610,000 refugees experiencing acute food insecurity in Bangladesh.
It will also support the International Rescue Committee, Unicef, and the UN World Food Program to provide food, nutrition, and protection assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities.
The US government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, including more than $2.1 billion in Bangladesh.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also met Prof Yunus on Wednesday.
They discussed areas of work of mutual interest in Bangladesh towards securing justice, freedom, and human rights.
Turk lauded the interim government's continuing reform initiatives.
UN Human Rights chief lauds interim government’s reform initiatives
File photo
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has discussed diverse areas to deepen cooperation between Bangladesh and the USA with USAID Administrator Samantha Power.
They specifically discussed cooperation in the areas of transport, energy, justice and youth.
The meeting was held yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
On Tuesday, the United States announced nearly $199 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the needs of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and the region, including over $129 million through USAID and nearly $70 million from the US Department of State.
US Department of State Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced the funding at a Rohingya-focused event during the UN General Assembly High-level week.
USAID's assistance includes funding from the bipartisan National Security Supplemental as well as $78 million from the US Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation, which will help to purchase, ship, and distribute approximately 52,200 metric tonnes of food commodities from American farmers to approximately 610,000 refugees experiencing acute food insecurity in Bangladesh.
It will also support the International Rescue Committee, Unicef, and the UN World Food Program to provide food, nutrition, and protection assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities.
The US government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, including more than $2.1 billion in Bangladesh.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also met Prof Yunus on Wednesday.
They discussed areas of work of mutual interest in Bangladesh towards securing justice, freedom, and human rights.
Turk lauded the interim government's continuing reform initiatives.
Saif
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India, US both need a stable Bangladesh
However, regardless of the nature of international involvement, the ultimate responsibility for a stable Bangladesh lies with its own people.
India, US both need a stable Bangladesh
VISUAL: FATIMA JAHAN ENA
Before returning to Bangladesh and assuming the mantle of leading the interim government, Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, in an interview with India's NDTV, stated that if Bangladesh becomes unstable, it will affect West Bengal, Myanmar, and the entire northeast India.
Now, West Bengal is bogged down in protests over a horrific case of rape and murder, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declaring that she is "ready to resign." The state of Manipur is on red alert as recent drone and rocket attacks have triggered a fresh wave of ethnic violence. Meanwhile, "Myanmar is plumbing the depths of the human rights abyss," according to James Rodehaver, United Nations human rights chief of the Myanmar team. If the situation in the Bay of Bengal does not seem like a powder keg ready to explode, one must be truly blind.
However, the recent visit of a US delegation to Bangladesh offers some hope that the world is concerned with the evolving situation in the region. By the time this column is published, a bilateral meeting will have taken place between Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. On September 15, the inter-agency US delegation that met with the chief adviser included Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for the Department of Treasury; Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; Änjali Kaur, USAID deputy assistant administrator for Asia; and Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative.
During the visit, USAID signed a development agreement worth over $200 million with the interim government to support Bangladesh in advancing development, strengthening governance, expanding trade, and creating greater opportunities for the Bangladeshi people to build a brighter and more prosperous future. From 2021 to 2026, USAID has committed nearly $1 billion in support.
Sources in the finance ministry indicate that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) may provide $900 million in budgetary support to Bangladesh by March 2025. Earlier this month, the interim government also requested $1 billion from the World Bank for the energy and power sector, along with another $1 billion for banking sector reforms. This is part of a broader effort to secure $8 billion from multilateral lenders and development partners to replenish the country's foreign exchange reserves and stabilise the economy.
One of Prof Yunus's key strengths is his appeal in the West, which is likely a significant factor in the potential inflow of foreign currency to support the interim government. These developments are critical at a time when Bangladesh is experiencing significant internal unrest. There are speculations that many forces, both within and outside the country, are actively working to discredit the government in any way possible, whether through inciting violence by exploiting religious sentiments, dividing the population with bad-faith identity politics, or organising misinformation campaigns to obscure the truth and paint the nation in the worst possible light.
The Yunus-Biden bilateral meeting, as well as the recent visit by the US delegation underscore the country's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's development and political stability under the interim government. By signing a development agreement through USAID and subsequently holding a bilateral meeting, the US has made it clear that it recognises the strategic importance of Bangladesh. Washington's backing, however, isn't just economic; it's also a strategic signal to regional powers that the situation in Bangladesh is of global concern. This development aligns with US interests in South Asia, particularly regarding regional stability, which is a cornerstone of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
Regardless of the nature of international involvement, the ultimate responsibility for the stability of a nation lies with its own people. While geostrategic partners like the US and India can offer financial support and diplomatic engagement, it is up to the people of Bangladesh to ensure that their nation remains stable.
India, as Bangladesh's closest neighbour, also has a vital role to play in ensuring that its own security interests align with Bangladesh's stability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government must ensure that extremist voices within India do not agitate the situation across the border. For instance, recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the militaristic language and posturing by other political actors do not bode well for diplomatic de-escalation and mutual cooperation. Indian policymakers should exercise caution so that domestic issues are not exploited to create friction between the two countries.
More importantly, India must adopt a balanced approach, combining diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh and ensuring that no internal forces within India undermine efforts for stability. Given the ethnic and religious diversity in India's northeast region and Bangladesh's proximity, any instability in Bangladesh will most definitely spill over, affecting not only West Bengal but also states like Assam and Tripura. It's in India's own security interest to support the interim government in Dhaka, providing assistance where possible to counter both external and internal threats.
Regardless of the nature of international involvement, the ultimate responsibility for the stability of a nation lies with its own people. While geostrategic partners like the US and India can offer financial support and diplomatic engagement, it is up to the people of Bangladesh to ensure that their nation remains stable. Some questions have already been raised about the competence of the interim government and its lack of urgency. This is not a good sign. It will need to navigate each new political challenge promptly and carefully, ensuring that democratic institutions remain functional and that extremist groups are not able to exploit any governance vacuums. It should also pave the way for an election that is free, fair and inclusive, which in itself is a daunting task.
In these unstable times, civil society and the media, in particular, will need to step up their activities drastically, countering the ongoing waves of misinformation campaigns and holding the reality on the ground for all of the world to see. The youth, intellectuals, business communities and political parties have a significant part to play in ensuring that polarisation does not destabilise the country further. This is a critical moment for Bangladesh; the future rests in the hands of the Bangladeshi people. The people who came out on the streets and gave their lives to dethrone an autocrat must now step up again and resist divisive forces. This is the only way to remake Bangladesh into a more prosperous and peaceful nation.
Zillur Rahman is executive director at the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) and a television talk show host.
VISUAL: FATIMA JAHAN ENA
Before returning to Bangladesh and assuming the mantle of leading the interim government, Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, in an interview with India's NDTV, stated that if Bangladesh becomes unstable, it will affect West Bengal, Myanmar, and the entire northeast India.
Now, West Bengal is bogged down in protests over a horrific case of rape and murder, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declaring that she is "ready to resign." The state of Manipur is on red alert as recent drone and rocket attacks have triggered a fresh wave of ethnic violence. Meanwhile, "Myanmar is plumbing the depths of the human rights abyss," according to James Rodehaver, United Nations human rights chief of the Myanmar team. If the situation in the Bay of Bengal does not seem like a powder keg ready to explode, one must be truly blind.
However, the recent visit of a US delegation to Bangladesh offers some hope that the world is concerned with the evolving situation in the region. By the time this column is published, a bilateral meeting will have taken place between Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. On September 15, the inter-agency US delegation that met with the chief adviser included Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for the Department of Treasury; Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; Änjali Kaur, USAID deputy assistant administrator for Asia; and Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative.
During the visit, USAID signed a development agreement worth over $200 million with the interim government to support Bangladesh in advancing development, strengthening governance, expanding trade, and creating greater opportunities for the Bangladeshi people to build a brighter and more prosperous future. From 2021 to 2026, USAID has committed nearly $1 billion in support.
Sources in the finance ministry indicate that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) may provide $900 million in budgetary support to Bangladesh by March 2025. Earlier this month, the interim government also requested $1 billion from the World Bank for the energy and power sector, along with another $1 billion for banking sector reforms. This is part of a broader effort to secure $8 billion from multilateral lenders and development partners to replenish the country's foreign exchange reserves and stabilise the economy.
One of Prof Yunus's key strengths is his appeal in the West, which is likely a significant factor in the potential inflow of foreign currency to support the interim government. These developments are critical at a time when Bangladesh is experiencing significant internal unrest. There are speculations that many forces, both within and outside the country, are actively working to discredit the government in any way possible, whether through inciting violence by exploiting religious sentiments, dividing the population with bad-faith identity politics, or organising misinformation campaigns to obscure the truth and paint the nation in the worst possible light.
The Yunus-Biden bilateral meeting, as well as the recent visit by the US delegation underscore the country's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's development and political stability under the interim government. By signing a development agreement through USAID and subsequently holding a bilateral meeting, the US has made it clear that it recognises the strategic importance of Bangladesh. Washington's backing, however, isn't just economic; it's also a strategic signal to regional powers that the situation in Bangladesh is of global concern. This development aligns with US interests in South Asia, particularly regarding regional stability, which is a cornerstone of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
Regardless of the nature of international involvement, the ultimate responsibility for the stability of a nation lies with its own people. While geostrategic partners like the US and India can offer financial support and diplomatic engagement, it is up to the people of Bangladesh to ensure that their nation remains stable.
India, as Bangladesh's closest neighbour, also has a vital role to play in ensuring that its own security interests align with Bangladesh's stability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government must ensure that extremist voices within India do not agitate the situation across the border. For instance, recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the militaristic language and posturing by other political actors do not bode well for diplomatic de-escalation and mutual cooperation. Indian policymakers should exercise caution so that domestic issues are not exploited to create friction between the two countries.
More importantly, India must adopt a balanced approach, combining diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh and ensuring that no internal forces within India undermine efforts for stability. Given the ethnic and religious diversity in India's northeast region and Bangladesh's proximity, any instability in Bangladesh will most definitely spill over, affecting not only West Bengal but also states like Assam and Tripura. It's in India's own security interest to support the interim government in Dhaka, providing assistance where possible to counter both external and internal threats.
Regardless of the nature of international involvement, the ultimate responsibility for the stability of a nation lies with its own people. While geostrategic partners like the US and India can offer financial support and diplomatic engagement, it is up to the people of Bangladesh to ensure that their nation remains stable. Some questions have already been raised about the competence of the interim government and its lack of urgency. This is not a good sign. It will need to navigate each new political challenge promptly and carefully, ensuring that democratic institutions remain functional and that extremist groups are not able to exploit any governance vacuums. It should also pave the way for an election that is free, fair and inclusive, which in itself is a daunting task.
In these unstable times, civil society and the media, in particular, will need to step up their activities drastically, countering the ongoing waves of misinformation campaigns and holding the reality on the ground for all of the world to see. The youth, intellectuals, business communities and political parties have a significant part to play in ensuring that polarisation does not destabilise the country further. This is a critical moment for Bangladesh; the future rests in the hands of the Bangladeshi people. The people who came out on the streets and gave their lives to dethrone an autocrat must now step up again and resist divisive forces. This is the only way to remake Bangladesh into a more prosperous and peaceful nation.
Zillur Rahman is executive director at the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) and a television talk show host.
Saif
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Dhaka-Washington relations to be given focus during foreign secy’s visit
The foreign secretary’s upcoming visit to the US will focus on further advancing Dhaka-Washington relations
en.prothomalo.com
Dhaka-Washington relations to be given focus during foreign secy’s visit
Raheed Ejaz
Dhaka
Published: 04 Oct 2024, 14: 53
Flags of USA and Bangladesh File photo
The foreign secretary’s upcoming visit to the US will focus on further advancing Dhaka-Washington relations. There will also be discussions on future relations following the top level meeting between the two countries. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Washington disclosed this.
US President Joe Biden met chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Biden, in that rare meeting held breaching long-time practice, assured of providing all sorts of assistance to the Bangladesh government under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Muhammad Yunus afterwards.
Diplomatic sources say the Dhaka-Washington relations will move forward on the basis of those two meetings. Foreign secretary Md Jasim Uddin will leave for the US on 7 October to discuss the specific issues of cooperation between the two countries. He will be in Washington from 10-12 October. Before that, he will attend the UNGA to be held in New York.
Foreign ministry officials say during his three-day visit, the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet US acting under secretary for political affairs John Bass; under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights Uzra Zeya; deputy assistant secretary of defence for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford and assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch. Apart from these, preparations are underway to hold a meeting with senior officials of the finance, revenue and labour departments of the US. US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs Donald Lu is also expected to be present in this meeting.
This will be the third round of meetings between the two countries at different levels, including top level meetings, since the interim government took over on 8 August.
Earlier, on 15 September, a top-level US delegation visited Dhaka. After the US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met the chief adviser Dr. Yunus in the last week of September.
Speaking regarding his upcoming US visit, foreign secretary Md Jasim Uddin told Prothom Alo that there had been a qualitative change in terms of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the US amid a changed context. The meeting between the US president and the chief adviser on the sidelines of the UNGA is a reflection of that. There will be discussions on how to further enhance cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the top level meetings held between the two countries late September during his upcoming visit to Washington.
The foreign ministry officials informed this correspondent that the progress of the talks between the two countries that have been held since the new government took over will be important in the upcoming visit of the foreign secretary. Overall, there will be talks on various issues, including reform at different sectors, economy, trade, investment, labour and human rights, good governance, preventing terrorism, defence, health, climate change and the Rohingya crisis.
According to diplomatic sources, the US secretary of state has mentioned that corruption is the main barrier for the US as the highest foreign investor to Bangladesh. The US is interested in helping Bangladesh on the basis of its experience to eradicate corruption.
The US secretary of state also mentioned the US importers’ concern with the prevailing law and order situation in Bangladesh in absence of the police. He stressed on good relations between the owners and workers to draw more investment and extend businesses.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, a Washington-based policy research institute, said, “Washington has a good impression about Dr. Yunus. So the US administration will be comfortable about advancing relations between the two countries.”
“The visit of the top level US delegation was a message from Washington that they will stand by Dhaka in all aspects – developments, humanitarian assistance and reform. That message was quite sincere and realistic which further strengthened through the meeting between Biden and Dr. Yunus,” he added.
*This report appeared on the print and online versions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu
Raheed Ejaz
Dhaka
Published: 04 Oct 2024, 14: 53
Flags of USA and Bangladesh File photo
The foreign secretary’s upcoming visit to the US will focus on further advancing Dhaka-Washington relations. There will also be discussions on future relations following the top level meeting between the two countries. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Washington disclosed this.
US President Joe Biden met chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Biden, in that rare meeting held breaching long-time practice, assured of providing all sorts of assistance to the Bangladesh government under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Muhammad Yunus afterwards.
Diplomatic sources say the Dhaka-Washington relations will move forward on the basis of those two meetings. Foreign secretary Md Jasim Uddin will leave for the US on 7 October to discuss the specific issues of cooperation between the two countries. He will be in Washington from 10-12 October. Before that, he will attend the UNGA to be held in New York.
Foreign ministry officials say during his three-day visit, the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet US acting under secretary for political affairs John Bass; under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights Uzra Zeya; deputy assistant secretary of defence for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford and assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch. Apart from these, preparations are underway to hold a meeting with senior officials of the finance, revenue and labour departments of the US. US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs Donald Lu is also expected to be present in this meeting.
This will be the third round of meetings between the two countries at different levels, including top level meetings, since the interim government took over on 8 August.
Earlier, on 15 September, a top-level US delegation visited Dhaka. After the US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met the chief adviser Dr. Yunus in the last week of September.
Speaking regarding his upcoming US visit, foreign secretary Md Jasim Uddin told Prothom Alo that there had been a qualitative change in terms of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the US amid a changed context. The meeting between the US president and the chief adviser on the sidelines of the UNGA is a reflection of that. There will be discussions on how to further enhance cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the top level meetings held between the two countries late September during his upcoming visit to Washington.
The foreign ministry officials informed this correspondent that the progress of the talks between the two countries that have been held since the new government took over will be important in the upcoming visit of the foreign secretary. Overall, there will be talks on various issues, including reform at different sectors, economy, trade, investment, labour and human rights, good governance, preventing terrorism, defence, health, climate change and the Rohingya crisis.
According to diplomatic sources, the US secretary of state has mentioned that corruption is the main barrier for the US as the highest foreign investor to Bangladesh. The US is interested in helping Bangladesh on the basis of its experience to eradicate corruption.
The US secretary of state also mentioned the US importers’ concern with the prevailing law and order situation in Bangladesh in absence of the police. He stressed on good relations between the owners and workers to draw more investment and extend businesses.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, a Washington-based policy research institute, said, “Washington has a good impression about Dr. Yunus. So the US administration will be comfortable about advancing relations between the two countries.”
“The visit of the top level US delegation was a message from Washington that they will stand by Dhaka in all aspects – developments, humanitarian assistance and reform. That message was quite sincere and realistic which further strengthened through the meeting between Biden and Dr. Yunus,” he added.
*This report appeared on the print and online versions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu
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Foreign secy to visit US October 7-14
Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin is scheduled to make an official visit to the United States on October 7-14 to hold a series of meetings as the two sides eye stronger relations in diverse areas.
Foreign secy to visit US October 7-14
Jashim Uddin
Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin is scheduled to make an official visit to the United States on October 7-14 to hold a series of meetings as the two sides eye stronger relations in diverse areas.
This is going to be his first official visit abroad since appointment. Jashim will have meetings with senior officials of the US government, a diplomatic source told UNB, adding that he would visit both Washington and New York.
Jashim Uddin
Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin is scheduled to make an official visit to the United States on October 7-14 to hold a series of meetings as the two sides eye stronger relations in diverse areas.
This is going to be his first official visit abroad since appointment. Jashim will have meetings with senior officials of the US government, a diplomatic source told UNB, adding that he would visit both Washington and New York.
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US values Bangladesh as a partner in Indo-Pacific region: Uzra Zeya
Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya has said the US values Bangladesh as a "partner" in the Indo-Pacific region and their "strong collaboration" as their leading partner on Rohingya response and number one source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
US values Bangladesh as a partner in Indo-Pacific region: Uzra Zeya
Photo: Collected
Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya has said the US values Bangladesh as a "partner" in the Indo-Pacific region and their "strong collaboration" as their leading partner on Rohingya response and number one source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
She shared a brief message on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday as she had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin in Washington on October 11.
"Vital discussion with Foreign Secretary Uddin on US-Bangladesh humanitarian cooperation, accountability and democratic institutions, and support for labor rights," she posted.
The foreign secretary and under-secretar had "fruitful discussions" on the reforms of the democratic institutions and upholding of democratic values, accountability of human rights violations, humanitarian response and sustainable solutions of the Rohingya crisis, and labour rights issues, etc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
He also had a "productive meeting" with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the State Department, affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest.
Their discussions focused on the US technical and financial support to reform initiatives of the interim government and addressing challenges, Rohingya issue, labour law reforms etc.
The foreign secretary had a separate meeting with acting US Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass and discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance impactful cooperation in priority areas.
He also had discussions on diverse issues at a meeting with US Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W Ford at the White House.
They covered interim government's reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis, labour law etc.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin met Brendan Lynch, assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and discussed mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton imported from US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC).
A lunch meeting between the foreign secretary and key officials focussed on a wide range of issues of mutual interests.
US officials include Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, as well as Director Alla P Kamins.
The foreign secretary visited New York before his tour to Washington and is scheduled to leave Washington on October 14.
Photo: Collected
Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya has said the US values Bangladesh as a "partner" in the Indo-Pacific region and their "strong collaboration" as their leading partner on Rohingya response and number one source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
She shared a brief message on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday as she had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin in Washington on October 11.
"Vital discussion with Foreign Secretary Uddin on US-Bangladesh humanitarian cooperation, accountability and democratic institutions, and support for labor rights," she posted.
The foreign secretary and under-secretar had "fruitful discussions" on the reforms of the democratic institutions and upholding of democratic values, accountability of human rights violations, humanitarian response and sustainable solutions of the Rohingya crisis, and labour rights issues, etc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
He also had a "productive meeting" with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma at the State Department, affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest.
Their discussions focused on the US technical and financial support to reform initiatives of the interim government and addressing challenges, Rohingya issue, labour law reforms etc.
The foreign secretary had a separate meeting with acting US Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass and discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance impactful cooperation in priority areas.
He also had discussions on diverse issues at a meeting with US Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W Ford at the White House.
They covered interim government's reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis, labour law etc.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin met Brendan Lynch, assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and discussed mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton imported from US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC).
A lunch meeting between the foreign secretary and key officials focussed on a wide range of issues of mutual interests.
US officials include Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, as well as Director Alla P Kamins.
The foreign secretary visited New York before his tour to Washington and is scheduled to leave Washington on October 14.
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US reaffirms strong support for Bangladesh
The United States has reiterated its assurance for strong cooperation with Bangladesh on democratic reforms and economic restructuring, emphasising the importance of Dhaka-Washington collaboration for the security and prosperity of South Asia.
en.prothomalo.com
US reaffirms strong support for Bangladesh
Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 12 Oct 2024, 10: 57
Foreign secretary Jashim Uddin holds a key meeting with acting under secretary of state for political affairs John Bass on 10 October, 2024.John Bass' X handle
The United States has reiterated its assurance for strong cooperation with Bangladesh on democratic reforms and economic restructuring, emphasising the importance of Dhaka-Washington collaboration for the security and prosperity of South Asia.
The issues came up as foreign secretary Jashim Uddin, who is now on an official trip to Washington, held meetings with different US officials. Some of them also shared the meeting outcomes on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
After reaching there Wednesday night, the foreign secretary held a key meeting with the acting under secretary of state for political affairs, John Bass, on the following day. Later, he was supposed to meet with Lindsey W Ford, senior director for South Asia at the US national security council; Richard R Verma, deputy secretary of state; and Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative.
The foreign secretary attended a luncheon with senior officials from the US state department, including assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu.
Sharing a still of his meeting with the foreign secretary, John Bass wrote on X, “Appreciated meeting today with Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Uddin to discuss our partnership on shared economic and counterterrorism goals. We discussed the vital importance of US-Bangladesh cooperation for regional security and prosperity.”
Deputy secretary of state Richard R Verma wrote, “Pleased to meet with Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Jashim Uddin to reaffirm the United States’ support for democratic reforms, stability, and strengthening of Bangladesh’s economy.”
Meanwhile, Marta Costanzo Youth, acting assistant secretary for the bureau of population, refugees, and migration, attended a lunch hosted by the Bangladesh chargé d' affaires in Washington, DM Salahuddin Mahmud, in honor of the foreign secretary.
After the event, Youth wrote on X, "Great meeting with Bangladesh foreign secretary Jashim Uddin. The US and Bangladesh have been partners on the Rohingya response from the beginning. The US is committed to continuing to support the response and encourage other donors to do more.”
Earlier, the US president, Joe Biden, had a rare meeting with the chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly. He assured of strong US support for democratic reforms and economic restructuring in Bangladesh.
Later, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, also met with the interim government chief and discussed bilateral cooperation in detail. Prior to these meetings, a high-level US delegation visited Bangladesh on 15 September. The foreign secretary’s US trip came in continuation of the diplomatic engagement.
Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 12 Oct 2024, 10: 57
Foreign secretary Jashim Uddin holds a key meeting with acting under secretary of state for political affairs John Bass on 10 October, 2024.John Bass' X handle
The United States has reiterated its assurance for strong cooperation with Bangladesh on democratic reforms and economic restructuring, emphasising the importance of Dhaka-Washington collaboration for the security and prosperity of South Asia.
The issues came up as foreign secretary Jashim Uddin, who is now on an official trip to Washington, held meetings with different US officials. Some of them also shared the meeting outcomes on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
After reaching there Wednesday night, the foreign secretary held a key meeting with the acting under secretary of state for political affairs, John Bass, on the following day. Later, he was supposed to meet with Lindsey W Ford, senior director for South Asia at the US national security council; Richard R Verma, deputy secretary of state; and Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative.
The foreign secretary attended a luncheon with senior officials from the US state department, including assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu.
Sharing a still of his meeting with the foreign secretary, John Bass wrote on X, “Appreciated meeting today with Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Uddin to discuss our partnership on shared economic and counterterrorism goals. We discussed the vital importance of US-Bangladesh cooperation for regional security and prosperity.”
Deputy secretary of state Richard R Verma wrote, “Pleased to meet with Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Jashim Uddin to reaffirm the United States’ support for democratic reforms, stability, and strengthening of Bangladesh’s economy.”
Meanwhile, Marta Costanzo Youth, acting assistant secretary for the bureau of population, refugees, and migration, attended a lunch hosted by the Bangladesh chargé d' affaires in Washington, DM Salahuddin Mahmud, in honor of the foreign secretary.
After the event, Youth wrote on X, "Great meeting with Bangladesh foreign secretary Jashim Uddin. The US and Bangladesh have been partners on the Rohingya response from the beginning. The US is committed to continuing to support the response and encourage other donors to do more.”
Earlier, the US president, Joe Biden, had a rare meeting with the chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly. He assured of strong US support for democratic reforms and economic restructuring in Bangladesh.
Later, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, also met with the interim government chief and discussed bilateral cooperation in detail. Prior to these meetings, a high-level US delegation visited Bangladesh on 15 September. The foreign secretary’s US trip came in continuation of the diplomatic engagement.
