15 January 2023:

US Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Donald Lu, who is currently visiting Bangladesh, has met Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, M.P., State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Md. Shahriar Alam, MP and the Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen today in separate meetings. During the meetings, they discussed entire gamut of bilateral and political issues of mutual priorities between Bangladesh and the USA.

They discussed on wide range of bilateral issues of mutual interests including trade and investment, development cooperation, defense, security, indo-pacific strategy, labour, human rights and democracy. Both sides also discussed the issue of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals including their repatriation and resettlement. Ambassador Lu deeply appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian gesture extended towards over a million Rohingyas. He lauded on the progress made by the law enforcement agencies particularly Rapid Action Battalion in their performances. Both sides acknowledged the current trajectory of excellent bilateral relations and wished to explore new avenues and approaches to increase bilateral economic cooperation and trade. Ambassador Lu was highly appreciative of Bangladesh’s success in vaccinating entire targeted population where Bangladesh thanked US for providing more than 100 million vaccines. US expressed their interest to work collectively in case of any such future crisis. Both sides agreed to continue maintaining this tie to enhance cooperation in other sectors while maintaining mutually inclusive partnership.  Referring to the tremendous socio-economic development in Bangladesh since independence, Ambassador. Lu committed US Administration’s continuous support and cooperation for all future endeavours.

Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting dignitary where number of academicians, researchers, think tanks, senior officials from Government and civil society were present. In addition, Ambassador Lu met Law Minister Mr. Anisul Huq, M.P., Home Minister Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan, M.P. and Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minster Mr. Salman Fazlur Rahman M.P.

From the US side, US Ambassador Peter Haas and Staff Officer William Siebar, were present in the meeting. From Bangladesh side, Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam, Bangladesh Ambassador to US Muhammad Imran, Secretary (West) Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, Directors General and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present in different meetings.