After the twelfth national parliamentary elections, a high-level delegation from the United States made their first visit to Dhaka. From February 24th to 26th, the delegation engaged in discussions with various government and non-government officials, civil society members, and labor leaders across different sectors of Bangladesh.
During the visit, the American delegation held several meetings with representatives from various quarters. Among the discussed topics were strengthening bilateral relations, increasing American investment in Bangladesh, human rights, climate change, and implementation of labor rights. Additionally, discussions were held on the ongoing political situation and the incarceration of opposition leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Representatives from the United States included Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, Director of South Asia at the National Security Council, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Afreen Aktar, and Assistant Administrator of USAID Michael Shifter.
During their visit to Dhaka, the American delegation also met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The American delegation also met with Salman F Rahman, Advisor on Private Industry and Investment to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The United States expressed interest in increasing economic investment with Bangladesh.
Meetings were also held with top leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Organizational Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury. Discussions centered around Bangladesh’s current political landscape and the thousands of opposition party workers currently imprisoned.
The American delegation also met with representatives from the civil society of Bangladesh to discuss democracy and human rights issues.
During their visit, the American delegation also met with Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin to discuss climate change issues and joint efforts to combat it.
The American delegation also held discussions with labor leaders, focusing on the rights of workers in Bangladesh.
Regarding the purpose of the American delegation’s visit, it was stated from the US Embassy in Dhaka that discussions would revolve around strengthening bilateral relations for mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region, addressing challenges, promoting different perspectives, supporting human rights, combating climate change, regional tolerance against international threats, and promising partnership in economic development between the United States and Bangladesh.
