US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu is leaving for Bangladesh today on a two-day visit. This is his first visit to Bangladesh after the Sheikh Hasina-led government assumed power for the fourth time. However, Lu visited Bangladesh four times after being appointed Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. He last visited Bangladesh in July last year. Then he came to Dhaka accompanied by US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Azra Jaya.
He will hold a meeting with Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen during his visit to Dhaka. In addition to this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Hasan will have a courtesy call on Mahmud and Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman. In addition, there is discussion with the representatives of civil society in Lu. Meanwhile, the US State Department says that Assistant Foreign Minister Lu is visiting Bangladesh at the end of his three-country tour. In Bangladesh, he will discuss U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation, including the climate crisis and deepening economic cooperation, with government officials, civil society leaders and other Bangladeshis.
In response to questions from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that our relationship with the United States is excellent. After Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected for the fourth time, US President Joe Biden has written a letter to take this relationship to a new height. In response to the question whether there will be a discussion on easing the visa policy of the United States and lifting the ban on some RAB officials, the minister said that these will also be discussed.
A statement issued by the US State Department spokesperson on May 9 said, “Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, will visit India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from May 10 to 15.” His visit will strengthen bilateral cooperation with each country and demonstrate US support for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
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