Diplomatic Correspondent //

Foreign Secretary visiting the United States held several fruitful meetings with high-ranking officials of the US State Department in Washington DC on the reform initiative of the interim government of Bangladesh. Jasim Uddin.

In a meeting with US Under Secretary Uzra Jaya on Saturday, the Secretary of State held fruitful discussions on reforming democratic institutions and upholding democratic values, accountability for human rights violations, humanitarian assistance and sustainable solutions to the Rohingya crisis, and labor rights.

It is reported that the meeting of the Foreign Secretary reflected the strong and growing cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States in promoting democratic values ​​and addressing the core concerns of human rights.

In another meeting with Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass, the two discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in the dynamics of Bangladesh-US relations and advance effective cooperation in priority areas.

The Foreign Secretary also held a productive meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma. It discussed renewing commitment to deepen and expand bilateral relations, strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Their discussion focused on US technical and financial support for the interim government’s reform initiatives and challenges, Rohingya issue, labor law reforms, etc.

In a meeting with Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Affairs Lindsay W. Ford at the White House, the Secretary of State discussed various issues related to the United States. They discussed the interim government’s reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, the Rohingya crisis and labor laws.

The Secretary of State also met with Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch for South and Central Asian Affairs and discussed mutual cooperation on export diversification, DFQF access to the RMG sector from cotton imported from the US, ease of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labor law reform and US International Development. Finance Co-operation (DFC) addresses access issues.

In addition, the lunch meeting of the Foreign Secretary and the Chief Officials of the Foreign Office highlighted various issues of mutual interest.

US officials include Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Martha C. Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulik, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Egger Jacobsen and Director Ala P. Cummins attended the luncheon.