US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived here on Tuesday (May 14, 2024) to "strengthen bilateral cooperation" and to demonstrate US support for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

In Bangladesh, he will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to talk about deepening Bangladesh-US cooperation, including deepening the economic ties in ways that the two countries can collaborate further to address climate issues, said Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State Vedant Patel.

Lu is here as part of his tri-nation tour of the region. He earlier visited India and Sri Lanka.

This is also his first visit to Bangladesh after Awami League won the January 7 elections to form government for the third straight term.

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"He is there to strengthen bilateral cooperation with each country and to demonstrate U.S. support for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," Patel said from Washington.

PM's adviser Salman F Rahman will host a dinner in honour of Donald Lu and his delegation at his residence today,  said a senior official.

Lu will have a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud during his three-day stay.

On Wednesday, Lu will meet Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury at 12pm.

His meeting with the Foreign Secretary will be held at 1pm.

The courtesy meeting with the Foreign Minister will be held at 3pm.

Early morning on Thursday, Lu will leave Dhaka for Washington.

He was received at Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport by Khandker Masudul Alam, director general (North America)  at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas was also present.

In a regular briefing at the US Department of State, a journalist wanted to know whether there is any specific reason why, on this third visit to Bangladesh within 17 months, assistant secretary is not holding meeting with any political party leaders, unlike his previous two visits where he engaged with various political parties, including BNP.

The journalist asked, "Has the United States shifted this position on internal political matter in Bangladesh?"

In reply, Patel said a lot of factors go into who their government officials meet with or not – the schedule, time of day, lots of other things.

"Assistant Secretary Lu is on a swing through a number of South Asian countries – specifically India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh," he added.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that issues related to visa policy and Dhaka’s call for withdrawal of sanctions may come up for discussion during Lu’s visit.

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“These issues may naturally come up,” he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will raise these issues.

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.

A day after the January 7 national election, the US in a statement said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties."

In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the President and Denior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC), Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh.

"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 at that time.

Considering Bangladesh’s overall stability and economic prosperity, big partners are showing greater interest to engage with the stable new government, Bangladesh says.

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"All have been attracted by our stability, economic prosperity and other socioeconomic development. They are showing greater interest," said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.

The foreign secretary said they are (big countries) certainly comparing with each other. "I won't say it's a competition but I would say they all have much interest."

"The pre-election scenario and the current scenario are totally different. A new government has been formed. A stable government is carrying forward its activities engaging with various countries. All countries think of engaging with Bangladesh," Masud said.

He said all elements of the mutual relations - political, economic and even security issues will be discussed.