Momen optimistic about closer US-Bangladesh ties in next 50 years

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen Sunday expressed the optimism that the United States (US) and Bangladesh need to have closer relations for the next 50 years while the two nations is set to celebrate half century bilateral relations next months.

He made the remark while US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ambassador Victoria Nuland called on him after holding the 8th US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue in the capital, a foreign ministry press release said.

The foreign minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 4 in Washington DC on the very day of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Under Secretary Nuland expressed the expectation that the upcoming meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State would be a fruitful one.

During the discussion, Foreign Minister Momen expressed satisfaction about the successful holding of the Partnership Dialogue, which is the first one after a long two-year pause due to the pandemic.

Dr Momen raised the issue of sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and strongly urged the US Government to reconsider the matter. The foreign minister stated that whenever allegations of human rights violation were received against any law enforcer, due administrative or legal actions were taken.

Notion that the RAB, as an institution, is facing difficulties in its operations due to the sanctions, he expressed concern that this might encourage radical elements in the country and might deteriorate law and order and create regional instability.

Describing the context of RAB's creation to combat terrorism and serious crimes, he said, at that time the US trained them, and the organization was being compared with the FBI.

Till now, he said, Bangladesh's success in curbing terrorism and transnational crimes are largely attributed to the RAB, he noted.  Nuland expressed the US's willingness to engage with Bangladesh on human rights and labour issues, with the view to collectively bring improvements in some areas.

She also proposed that the US can help Bangladesh, like some other development partners, in further reexamining the Digital Security Act. The US Under Secretary also discussed possible implications of dependence on a particular country for development project financing.

In reply, Dr Momen stated that Bangladesh receives most of its project financing from multilateral financial institutions and also from Japan. Noting that Dhaka intends to diversify project financing He urged the US to be involved more in this area.

Nuland elaborated her government position on the Ukraine issue while Dr Momen said that Bangladesh always wants peace, and underscored that the conflict is needed to be resolved through negotiations.

He further stated that peace brings stability, which is important for Bangladesh as the country has a large number of expatriate workers working abroad.

The foreign minister observed that US investors may consider enhancing and diversifying its investment portfolio in Bangladesh as currently excellent investment environment is prevailing in Bangladesh with establishment of the special economic zones and high-tech parks.

They also discussed the issue of displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh.