Despite giving no assurance to withdraw sanction on RAB, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland acknowledged that the human rights situation in Bangladesh has improved in the last three months.
Talking to the newsmen after the 8th US-Bangladesh partnership dialogue in the city, US delegation head, Victoria Nuland, said that they were aware of the concern regarding the sanction issue and there will be further discussion.
However, she made it clear that the US will not remain silent over violation of human rights anywhere in the world.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, who led the Bangladesh side in the dialogue, said Bangladesh is considering today’s discussion as the beginning of a rejuvenated robust engagement with its US friends.
Bangladesh raised deep concern about the recent US Treasury sanctions imposed on RAB and related individuals.
Bangladesh not only explained how this might affect the efforts of the Bangladesh Government to combat terrorism and transnational crimes but also elaborated our government has been addressing the challenges, Mr Masud said.
“We look forward to continuing our discussion in this regard. We also explained our position on issues like democratic practices, media freedom, labour rights and religious harmony.”
“We also had in depth discussion on ways and means of enhancing trade and investment, and possible cooperation in Blue Economy. We exchanged our views on Indo-Pacific Strategy, and also shared our perspectives on national, regional and global security and geo-political scenario,” the foreign secretary added.
The foreign secretary said, “In the area of economic cooperation including trade and investment, we look forward to having further discourse in the upcoming High-Level Economic Partnership Consultation in early June and possible next round of TICFA this year.
Bangladesh US bilateral political, economic, security and people-to-people relations are based on this ideological pivot.
Both sides discussed the areas of ‘excellent’ mutual cooperation like Rohingya issue, COVID-19 vaccine support, US development assistance, capacity building in security sector officials said.
The dialogue also covered areas of yet untapped potentials like exchange of high-level visits, investment, trade facilitation, connectivity, stronger defence and security cooperation etc.
“I think both sides also have taken this opportunity to better understand each other and explain respective positions on some issues.”
“Finally, I would say, and in fact this is what we have told our US colleagues today that Bangladesh has high expectation from the Biden Administration in terms of building a comprehensive partnership”, the foreign secretary said.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com