US Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) and Congressman Steve Chabot (Republican-Ohio) have expressed their willingness to facilitate further strengthening Dhaka-Washington relations. They said this during separate meetings with a four-member delegation from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by its Chairman Muhammad Faruk Khan. Other members of the team were Nurul Islam Nahid, Nahim Razzak; and Kazi Nabil Ahmed, according to a message received here from Bangladesh mission in Washington on Thursday. Also read:US keen to deepen ties with Bangladesh: Ambassador Haas The meetings took place on Wednesday at the respective offices of the senator and the congressman at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam and embassy officials were present in the meetings. During the meetings, the Parliamentary delegation briefed the US lawmakers on Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic development that has taken place under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Deportation of Rashed Chowdhury and sanctions on RAB The delegation reiterated Bangladesh’s request for the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They also sought the US lawmakers’ support for lifting US sanctions on the RAB, which is making tremendous contributions to the fight against extremism, terrorism, and cross-border crimes, including drugs and human trafficking. The delegation highlighted Bangladesh’s sustained economic growth, efficient COVID-19 management and measures to improve democratic governance. The Bangladeshi lawmakers acknowledged US humanitarian and political support to cope with more than one million displaced Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, and requested the US lawmakers to persuade Myanmar in all possible ways to create a safe environment in Rakhine State to ensure safe and voluntary return to their homeland in Myanmar. The US lawmakers commended Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting this huge number of Rohingyas and said that they would continue their efforts to address the Rohingya issue. The Bangladesh delegation also appreciated the US government’s donation of 64 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh.