The United States has expressed interest in working with the government on various issues

News Desk:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not yet been recognized by the United States. However, the country has expressed interest in working with the new government on various issues. Washington wants to expand the network of cooperation in a wide range of fields including politics, economy, security.

In fact, the Biden administration wants to sideline Bangladesh in the competition for dominance in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. After the visit of the US delegation to Bangladesh, informed diplomatic sources gave this glimpse. 

According to the source, the US delegation has proposed financing to Bangladesh from 'The US International Development Finance Corporation' (DFC) as part of the process of strengthening cooperation in various fields with Bangladesh.

In addition, the United States has also urged to strengthen the process of signing the proposed 'Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement' (ACSA) and 'General Security of Military Information Agreement' (GISOMIA) in the field of security. In addition, the United States will work with the new government of Bangladesh on issues such as democracy and human rights. A delegation consisting of Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director of South Asia Affairs of the National Security Council, Eileen Labacher, Assistant Administrator of the Asia Bureau of USAID, Michael Schipper, and US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Afrin Akhtar visited Bangladesh from February 24 to 26. did

The visit of the US delegation took place in a new context. This is the first visit by a US delegation after the 12th National Assembly elections, which is considered very significant. Because the United States was very vocal about holding free and fair elections in Bangladesh. The US statement issued immediately after the elections held on January 7 commented that the elections were 'not free and fair'. Various countries including China, India, Japan, Russia congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but the United States did not congratulate her.

US President Joe Biden, however, expressed interest in working with the new government in Bangladesh in a letter sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The letter did not mention anything embarrassing for Bangladesh. However, Biden did not directly sign the letter; Instead, the US government sent the letter with reference to the President. Diplomats say that although it is customary in diplomacy to send letters with references on behalf of governments without signatures; But some are of the opinion that the issue would have been stronger if it had been signed.

According to sources, the government circles in Bangladesh blame the US diplomatic mission in Dhaka for the uneasy relationship between the Biden administration and Sheikh Hasina's government before the polls. Official sources said that various activities, including the visit of the missing BNP leader's house by US Ambassador Peter Haas, gave wrong messages. After the election, the US has taken initiatives to improve relations, according to high-level government sources. Ambassador Peter Haas's visit to Singapore during the visit of the US delegation is particularly suggestive. In this trend of developing Dhaka-Washington relations, US State Department Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu may visit Bangladesh in the next few days. Then the foreign minister to strengthen the relationship. Hasan Mahmood is likely to visit the US.

Asked about the outcome of the US delegation's visit, former Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Humayun Kabir told Jugantar on Tuesday that the US has said it wants to start a new relationship. We have also expressed interest. The United States is interested in working in a broader context. Now how we use it depends on our abilities, skills and vision.

He also said, 'We settle in a common place. In fact, working on a larger landscape can work mutually beneficially with the United States in many areas.'

Many consider the proposal of financial support from DFC to develop relations with Bangladesh as the beginning of a new type of relations with Dhaka. DFC is a US government agency. It finances the private sector in low and middle income countries. The company offers financing in the areas of debt, equity investment, feasibility studies, investment funds, political risk insurance, technical assistance.

Bangladesh made a special request to the US administration to withdraw the ban on RAB. Foreign Minister during the meeting. Hasan Mahmood told the US delegation that RAB was doing a good job in fighting terrorism. In this regard, the US delegation has given five conditions including taking action against those who violated human rights of RAB. Officials say that once a ban is imposed, it is difficult to lift it because of the complex rules of the US administration.

Officials say the US has adopted an Indo-Pacific strategy primarily to counter China's influence in the region. In this case, the United States wants to side with Bangladesh for geopolitical reasons. Bangladesh has softened its tone to normalize relations with the United States. Officials say that openly criticizing the US from the political level of the Awami League government is not helpful in developing relations. Higher education in Western countries (Belgium). Appointment of Hasan Mahmud as Foreign Minister, various steps of the government including establishing communication with the Biden administration at various levels can be helpful in improving relations. Moreover, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is helpful in improving relations with the West. In view of the unstable situation in Myanmar, Bangladesh needs the United States. The United States is concerned about China's support for both the military junta and the rebel Arakan Army in Rakhine state, which borders Bangladesh. As Bangladesh will need the United States in many such cases in the coming days, the United States is interested in new levels of relations. Moreover, the people of Bangladesh have more contact with the West.

When asked whether the Indo-Pacific strategy is a challenge or an opportunity for Bangladesh, a high-ranking official in Dhaka said that it has not reached that stage yet. I am still at the stage of normalizing Dhaka-Washington relations. The US Indo-Pacific strategy has three dimensions – political, security and economic. Bangladesh will work on the economic side. This is mentioned in Bangladesh's own Indo-Pacific Outlook. But Bangladesh will certainly not go to any single ring. Will keep the balance. There will be no change in the principle of friendship with all.

Meanwhile, during the visit, the US delegation held a meeting with a BNP delegation led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. In the meeting, the political situation in Bangladesh and the imprisonment of BNP leaders and activists were discussed. In addition, the United States emphasized the creation of space for civil society in meetings with civil society representatives.

 

Comments (0)