US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is likely to reiterate the call for signing the US Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) on logistics and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) during the meeting with the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen today (Wednesday) to advance enduring security and defence relationships.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday to "strengthen bilateral cooperation" and to demonstrate US support for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. This is also the first visit of any US senior official to Bangladesh after Awami League won the January 7 elections to form government.
Washington wants Bangladesh to be a net security provider in the region, a US official recently told media in Dhaka.
However, Dhaka may call for the withdrawal of sanctions on RAB and review the US visa policy is likely come up for discussion during the meeting.
Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department told the media on Tuesday that he (Lu) will not meet with any political parties.
Replying to a question whether the US had shifted its position on internal political matters, the spokesperson said, "It has not."
The US had been very vocal about free and fair elections ahead of the parliamentary polls in Bangladesh, it also announced a visa policy after imposing a sanction against RAB and some of its officials.
Though Washington termed the January 7 polls not free and fair, it promised to work with Bangladesh in the areas of economic development, promoting democracy, human rights, climate change, Rohingya, and security.
As per schedule, Lu will meet Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Forest and Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Prime Ministers Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman F Rahman, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and civil society leaders during his visit from 14-16 May in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told the media that the scope and thrust of Donald Lus visit are likely to differ greatly from before the general election in Bangladesh.
He said all issues relating to mutual relations -- political, economic, and even security will be discussed.
"We have many mechanisms, platforms, and dialogues with them. It will be looked into how all these can be reactivated and what are the mechanisms we can take forward," said the Foreign Secretary in Dhaka last week.
He said Bangladesh maintains excellent relations with the United States, and the two countries will work together to take the relations further.
"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.
Diplomatic sources said the Rohingya crisis, the conflict in Myanmar, and economic and security cooperation will be some of the important issued that will be discussed during Donald Lus visit.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday said that issues related to visa policy and Dhakas call for withdrawal of sanctions may come up for discussion during Donald Lus visit.
"These issues may naturally come up," he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will raise these issues as US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka on Tuesday.
Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Dhaka, where 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, according to the US Department of State.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh maintains excellent relations with the United States 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," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters.
