Bangladesh is on a diplomatic drive to reverse US sanctions against seven former and incumbent officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on allegations of human-rights violation, a charge Dhaka refutes.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen disclosed this Tuesday in response to a question during a virtual press briefing on the visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who arrives in Dhaka today to attend golden-jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence.
"We'll discuss the issue with them. We expect they'll change their position. Our efforts will continue on that front," said the foreign minister, now in Ankara.
Dr Momen went to add that decisions taken by the United States are not always correct.
"It's not like that all the decisions of the US are correct. There're many examples. We expect they'll change their position. Our efforts will continue on that front," he said. The foreign minister, however, describes the Dhaka-Washington relations as "very sweet". And he believes there will be no impact of the latest development on the relations between the two countries.
Terming the US decision "regrettable", he noted that by and large the RAB is free from corruption and people have confidence in the special law-enforcing agency.
About the visit of the Indian President on December 15-17, the foreign minister said entire gamut of issues will come up during the bilateral meetings with the President.
Mr Kovind is scheduled to meet President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the foreign minister during his Dhaka sojourn.
Responding to another question the minister said that, compared to many rich nations, Bangladesh has done far better in managing the Covid pandemic.
He also says that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Health Minister Zahid Maleque should be given award for their successful handling of the pandemic.
"In the USA more than 7 lakh people died due to pandemic, and in Britain, the Covid death toll is 2 lakh. But in our country the death toll is between 27 and 28 thousand," he said.
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