Bangladesh Foreign Secretary’s meetings with US officials in D.C.

UsaNewsOnline.Com, Washington D.C. : Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque who is currently on a two-day visit to Washington D.C. Tuesday met with the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Ambassador Thomas Shannon at the U.S. Department of State and discussed entire gamut of Dhaka-Washington bilateral relations. This is the first visit of the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary to the U.S. capital since the new administration of President Donald Trump took office on 20th January 2017. During their interaction on the first day, Haque and Shannon emphasized on development cooperation, trade and investment, countering terrorism and violent extremism and global issues of mutual interest and concern. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue of inappropriate treatment of Bangladeshi diplomats in the U.S. and expressed concern in this regard. Mr. Haque hoped that the issue would be addressed by all concerned U.S. authorities in a manner reflective of mutual trust and respect between the two friendly countries. Under Secretary Shannon reiterated the U.S. commitment to the importance of the multidimensional relationship between Bangladesh and the U.S.A. He said that the bilateral partnership between the two countries would continue to grow under the new U.S. administration. The Foreign Secretary invited Ambassador Shannon to Bangladesh for the 6th round of partnership dialogue to be held in Dhaka later this year. Under Secretary Shannon readily accepted the invitation and said that the dates of the dialogue would be finalized through mutual consultation. The Foreign Secretary also had a brief interaction with the Head of Population, Refugees and Migration Bureau of the U.S. Department of State. Later in the afternoon, Mr. Haque met with Ms. Lisa Curtis, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia of the National Security Council in the White House. They discussed the potentials of Bangladesh- U.S. security cooperation with particular focus on countering terrorism and violent extremism. Ms. Curtis appreciated the pluralistic character of democratic Bangladesh and the impressive socio-economic development of this Muslim majority country. The Foreign Secretary invited her to visit Bangladesh. Ms. Curtis said that she would visit Bangladesh in the next few months. The meetings were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.