Photo-collected.
Dhaka //

In addition to continuing support for the interim government of Bangladesh, the United States will strengthen relations with Dhaka on other issues. US Chargé d’Affaires in Dhaka Helen LaFave Interim Government Chief Advisor Prof. Dr. Muhammad expressed these convictions during his meeting with Yunus.

The press wing of the Chief Adviser said that the US diplomat made this comment during a courtesy meeting with the Chief Adviser at the Rashtriya Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Monday (September 2) morning.

The US charge d’affaires said his country’s government was happy to congratulate the chief adviser and looked forward to working closely together. The US Embassy in Dhaka will reopen its consular services this week in an effort to speed up the visa process.

He said that thousands of Bangladeshi students are now studying in US universities. Helen said the US will work closely on health, education, labor, governance and Rohingya issues. Washington has begun resettling the Rohingya to the US and he hoped the process would speed up. The United States is the largest contributor to the humanitarian response to the Rohingya and the US charge d’affaires said monthly food aid to the Rohingya was increased this year following US funding. He also called for livelihood opportunities for the Rohingyas.

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh with continued funding for the more than 1 million Rohingya living in camps in Cox’s Bazar. The chief adviser informed him that the interim government was tasked with deep reforms and general elections would be held after a reasonable time.

Professor Muhammad Yunus called for a concerted effort and a common platform among donors to tackle floods in Bangladesh. Manirk Charge d’Affairs raised some concerns on labor and minority issues.

The chief adviser said that every citizen of the country is protected by the constitution and the interim government is committed to uphold the human rights of all citizens. Human rights issues, cyber security laws and rapid action battalions also came up during the discussion.

The US charge d’affaires said his government was trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service in an effort to ensure justice in the country.