Donald Lu arrives in Dhaka
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud earlier said issues related to visa policy and Dhaka's call for the withdrawal of sanctions may be discussed during Lu's visit
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived in Dhaka this morning (14 May), sources at the US Embassy said.
He arrived in Dhaka on a two-day visit after visiting India and Sri Lanka as part of his six-day tri-nation tour of the region, which started on 10 May.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud earlier said issues related to visa policy and Dhaka's call for the withdrawal of sanctions may be discussed during Lu's visit.
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As per the US Department of State, Lu will conclude his tri-nation trip in Dhaka. He will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to discuss Bangladesh-US cooperation, including addressing the climate crisis and deepening economic ties.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh maintains excellent relations with the US and they will work together to take the relations further.
"Whoever visits Bangladesh from the US administration, we will work together to advance our relationship. There are economic relations and we have cooperation in various fields."
After the 7 January national election, the US in a statement on 8 January said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties."
In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council; Michael Schiffer, USAID assistant administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh.
"There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with the US delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time.
