Dhaka, Washington eye new chapter in bilateral ties

Dhaka and Washington want to begin a new chapter in their bilateral relationship, said Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today after the first meeting with the visiting US delegation since the January 7 election.

“We’re keen to initiate a new phase in our relationship. There’s mutual willingness from both sides,” he informed journalists at the foreign ministry.

Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the US president and senior director at the US National Security Council, led a delegation to Bangladesh.

Other members of the delegation include US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter and USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer.

After the meeting, Laubacher told journalists: “We want to advance our relationship.”

The US delegation yesterday met top BNP leaders and spoke about political situation in the country. They also talked about political repression including the jailing of thousands of opposition leaders.

The delegation also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at the State Guest House Padma.

This morning, the US delegation also met a group of civil society members and spoke of human rights and democracy.

When asked whether election, democracy, and human rights issues were addressed with the US delegation, the foreign minister responded in the negative.

Hasan Mahmud said he requested the lifting of the sanctions imposed against Rab in 2021.

“The US officials shared with us five observations,” he stated, without further elaboration.

Earlier, the US officials said the Rab needs to be reformed and those guilty should face accountability.

The meeting also discussed the issue of Myanmar crisis.

Hasan Mahmud said the Myanmar instability has created security concerns for Bangladesh and the region.

He did not say if the US side had any response to this.

The US has been supporting the Rohingyas for their humanitarian needs and will continue to do so, he said.

Besides, he said, the US and Bangladesh hold similar position on various international issues and they discussed those as well.