US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has come to Dhaka again after the national elections of Bangladesh. He was discussing the issue of the new visa policy of the United States centered on the parliamentary elections. Even after the vote, the United States issue was discussed. At that time, Washington clarified its position and said that the election of Bangladesh was not free and fair. However, the country is interested in working with the new government of Bangladesh.
Due to this interest, there have already been various discussions around Donald Lu's visit around the country.
According to Washington sources, Donald Lu has come to Dhaka to discuss Bangladesh-US relations. It is hoped that US President Joe Biden's policy on Bangladesh will prevail in this discussion. Donald Lu has also sought a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to convey the views of the US administration. However, the issue of the Prime Minister's meeting has not been finalized yet.
Although he did not meet the Prime Minister, Donald Lu is scheduled to meet important people of the government during this visit. On Wednesday (May 15), he will meet Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Foreign Minister Dr. Hassan Mahmud. In the night, he will have a dinner meeting with Prime Minister's Adviser on Private Industries and Investments, Salman F. Rahman, at his residence. The official is also expected to hold discussions with opposition politicians and civil society representatives.
Donald Lu's arrival and position of the United States
Joe Biden gave a clear message in a letter after Sheikh Hasina took over as Prime Minister for the fourth term. In that letter, Joe Biden highlighted the continued cooperation of the United States in achieving the economic goals of Bangladesh. He also expressed Washington's commitment to building a partnership with Dhaka in the joint vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The country wants to work together on regional and global security, climate change, energy and Rohingya issues as well as global issues which can be discussed in Donald Lu's visit this time.
Besides, the United States is considering Bangladesh as a partner to prevent the expansion of China's dominance. Therefore, Washington is interested in cooperating with Dhaka in the field of security. For this purpose, several senior officials of the United States have already visited Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties are not very interested in Donald Lu's visit. In a recent press conference, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that we are not interested in the arrival of foreigners.
However, it is certain that Donald Lu's visit will play a positive role in ensuring the state relations and security of other countries in the Asian region, but everyone is waiting to see what Bangladesh will get in this visit.