Sanction on RAB by the US was discussed at the Eighth US-Bangladesh partnership dialogue with both sides deciding to continue the discussion on this issue.
Talking to the newsmen after the Eight US-Bangladesh partnership dialogue in the city on Sunday, US delegation head, Victoria Nuland said that they were aware of the concerns of Bangladesh regarding the sanction and the issue will be discussed further.
“This has been a complicated and difficult issue here today (Sunday). You know we have concerns about how the RAB has performed, about extrajudicial killing, about enforced disappearances. We have seen progress in the last three months in mitigating these.” Ms Nuland told the press.
According to Ms Nuland, Bangladesh side briefed them about the government’s zero-tolerance to such things, and about the efforts to ensure accountability and justice.
“We look forward to working together on these things because our cooperation on security and counter-terrorism is very important to us”.
However, she made it clear that the US will not remain silent over violations of human rights anywhere in the world.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen who led the Bangladesh side in the dialogue said they had provided a dossier on RAB.
“They will look into it and we will continue our discussion in several formats, hopefully this issue will be resolved in due course”.
Bangladesh is considering the day’s discussion as the beginning of a rejuvenated robust engagement with its US friends, he added.
“Bangladesh raised deep concern about the recent US treasury sanctions imposed on RAB and related individuals.” Mr Masud said.
Bangladesh not only explained how this might affect the efforts of the Bangladesh government to combat terrorism and transnational crimes but also elaborated the government's approach to address the challenges, said Mr Masud.
“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.
Mr Masud stated 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 the 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 untapped potential 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 to our US colleagues on Sunday, that Bangladesh has high expectations from the Biden Administration in terms of building a comprehensive partnership”, said the foreign secretary.
