Dhaka Bureau: US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka on Tuesday morning. During the visit, he will hold discussions at the government and private levels to strengthen US-Bangladesh cooperation, especially on combating climate change and strengthening economic ties. This is Donald Lu’s first visit to Dhaka after the January 7 election.
According to diplomatic sources, on the first day of the visit, Donald Lu will attend a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser, Salman F. Rahman. Tomorrow, Wednesday, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Masoud Bin Momen.
On the same day, he will have a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. Apart from this, there is also an exchange of views with the representatives of civil society. US President Joe Biden gave a message about the US-Bangladesh relationship in a letter last February after Sheikh Hasina took over as the Prime Minister for the fourth term. In the letter, he expressed his commitment to support Bangladesh in achieving its ambitious economic goals as well as work with Dhaka to establish a partnership to achieve the common dream of a free and open Indo-Pacific. At the same time, he expressed his administration’s desire to work together on regional and global security, economic development, climate change and energy, global health, humanitarian aid, especially for Rohingya refugees, and many other issues to usher in the next chapter of the US-Bangladesh partnership. According to sources, an idea of what the US will prioritize after Biden’s letter can be found in Donald Lu’s visit.
Foreign Minister Dr. Donald Lu’s visit. Hasan Mahmud said that Bangladesh’s relationship with the United States is stronger than ever, and Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka to take this relationship to a higher level. We will also try to strengthen this relationship.
On the other hand, Foreign Secretary Masud bin Momen recently told reporters that there was never any discomfort from our side regarding Lu’s visit, and there is still not. The US also now wants to advance the relationship. The picture that was there before the elections is now completely different. Incidentally, Donald Lu was discussing the new visa policy issue of the United States in the context of the 12th National Parliament election of Bangladesh. Clarifying their position after the vote, Washington said that the election was not free and fair. However, the country has also expressed interest in working with the new government of Bangladesh.
