Acknowledging restoration of telecommunications across Bangladesh, the United States has called for a full and undisrupted public access to internet and social media services. “We’re aware of some restoration of telecommunications across Bangladesh, but we are calling for a full and undisrupted public access to internet and social media services,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Vedant Patel told reporters at a regular briefing on July 29. This will enable people in Bangladesh – including US citizens in the country – to be able to access critical information, he said. Read more: Mobile internet restored after 10 days Patel said that they, both in public and private, continue to call for a “lasting and peaceful” resolution to the current situation. “And we reiterate our unwavering support for the freedom of peaceful assembly,” he said.

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. UK's BII supports MSMEs, women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh with $50m debt commitment to BRAC Bank "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.

The United States has reiterated that they are keen to enhance relationship and cooperation with Bangladesh in key areas, including security and trade. “Last year we celebrated an anniversary as it relates to our bilateral relationship with Bangladesh, and this year in 2023 we look forward to deepening that relationship, and there are a number of areas in which we intend to deepen that cooperation,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson at US State Department, Vedant Patel, said. Also read: Italy to take skilled workers from Bangladesh, contain illegal migration Responding to a question during a regular briefing at the US Department of State on June 7, he said that in addition to security cooperation, there is potential for enhanced cooperation on climate, trade and many other issues. Also read: US consistent on the need for free, fair election in Bangladesh: White House “So of course, this is an issue that continues to be of importance to us. I have spoken about this a great deal to some of your colleagues. One of them, of course, is the opportunity for security cooperation with Bangladesh,” Patel said when asked about boosting US engagement in counterterrorism in Bangladesh. Also read: Won’t get into specific election results in another country, Vedant Patel says on Gazipur City Polls

The United States says it is looking forward to “deepening” its relationship with Bangladesh in a number of areas – addressing energy, climate issues and economy. “That being said, we also will continue to push for the freedom of expression of religion and faiths of all people around the world,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a regular briefing at the US Department of State on June 5. REad: US consistent on the need for free, fair election in Bangladesh: White House Responding to a question on the recently held Gazipur City Corporation election, he said, “I’m not going to speak or get into specific election results in another country.” “What I will just say is what you just heard me say to your colleague, is that we are committed to the promotion of democracy and free and fair elections around the world,” Patel said. REad: US calls upcoming national election an 'internal' affair of Bangladesh The government, political parties, civil society, and the media in Bangladesh have all expressed their desire that the upcoming national election be free, fair, and peaceful, Patel said. In support of free, fair and peaceful election, the US announced a new policy that allows them to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals, including current or former officials, pro-government or opposition political party members, and others believed to be responsible for or complicit in “undermining the democratic election process” in Bangladesh, Patel said. REad: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam

The United States said it is looking forward to deepening relationship and cooperation with Bangladesh on a number of key issues, “regardless of political party or candidates.” "Our hope for any election taking place around the world is that they are free and fair and accessible," Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, said during a press briefing on May 15 (US time) at the State Department while responding to a question. But beyond that, he said, he has nothing else to offer insight on when it comes to “political parties or candidates or anything like that.” Also Read: As per Vienna Convention, host country must ensure protection of all diplomatic personnel: US State Dept He said, last year the two countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations.   Earlier, US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter visited Bangladesh and attended the 6th Indian Ocean Conference on May 12-13. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to learn more about Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom and democracy," she tweeted, mentioning that the Liberation War Museum movingly conveys what Bangladeshis experienced during that time.  Also Read: US doesn’t endorse one political party over another in Bangladesh: State Department.

The United States has said the safety and security of their diplomatic personnel and facilities are of utmost importance. “So, I’m not going to get into the specifics about security details concerning the U.S. embassy or its personnel,” Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, said during a press briefing on May 15 (US time) at the State Department while responding to a question.    He, however, noted that as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, any host country “must uphold its obligations to ensure the protection of all diplomatic mission premises and personnel and take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on personnel.” Read: US doesn’t endorse one political party over another in Bangladesh: State Department Patel made the remarks after Bangladesh decided not to provide additional security escorts for a number of foreign diplomats, including the US and UK envoys, in Dhaka. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen yesterday (May 15, 2023) said, “If they want it, they can get it in exchange for payment. We won’t provide this extra (security) escort service with taxpayers’ money.” “In developed countries, no government provides such extra facilities,” Momen said. Read more: US calls upcoming national election an 'internal' affair of Bangladesh The minister said there has been no deterioration of the law and order situation that such service is required.

The United States has reiterated that it does not endorse one political party or candidate over another in Bangladesh. "And as we have said, the US supports free and fair elections in Bangladesh as well as around the world, and we do not endorse one political party or candidate over another," Principal Deputy Spokesperson of US Department of State Vedant Patel said in a regular media briefing on May 2. He also said, "Broadly what I will say is that the US doesn’t consider it interference to have honest dialogue with our friends and partners about concerns that we have and shared interests that we have that may or may [not] impact the bilateral relationship, that may – may or may [not] impact regional concerns and regional priorities.” Also Read: US calls upcoming national election an 'internal' affair of Bangladesh Patel said the US embassy in Dhaka acts as an envoy for bilateral relationship with Bangladesh as well as all US embassies around the world do.  "And what I will note – you heard me speak to this yesterday – Bangladesh is a country of great importance to us. It’s a country we are interested in deepening our relationships with," Patel said. In 2022, the two countries celebrated 50 years of bilateral relationship, and they believe that there are a number of issues in which they can continue to deepen cooperation – not just with the Bangladeshi government, with the Bangladeshi people as well, he said. Also Read: Stop targeting truth, truth-tellers: UN Chief on World Press Freedom Day Patel mentioned addressing the threat of climate change, deepening economic ties, and security concerns as it relates to the Indo-Pacific. Responding to a question, Patel said, "That’s our expectation for any country in the world, is that for elections to take place and for them to happen freely, fairly, and as you said, with neutrality as well, and for them to be conducted with neutrality, as I might add."

The US does not want to comment on Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, noting that it is an “internal, domestic election.” “I don’t have anything else to get into that beyond as it’s an internal, domestic election,” Deputy Principal Spokesperson at US Department of State Vedant Patel has said. He came up with the remarks when a journalist wanted to know how the US would navigate a situation where, in Bangladesh, another party refuses to participate in a national election and may later claim it to be an “unfair and unjust election.” Read: Not endorsing one political party vs another in Bangladesh: US State Dept says Patel, however, said, as it relates to elections, US want them to be free and fair and to be reflective of the will of the Bangladeshi people. “I will say broadly, though, is that the US and Bangladesh last year celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, and we look forward to continuing to deepen those relationships,” he said at a regular media briefing at the US Department of State on Monday. Patel said that Dhaka and Washington have a number of areas where they have the possibility for immense cooperation and engagement – whether that be climate change, whether that be the economy, addressing the humanitarian crisis, and other things as well. Read: US State Department ‘deeply concerned over use of Digital Security Act’

While reiterating that any abuser of human rights should be held accountable, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State Vedant Patel has said, “Broadly, the U.S. supports the principle of free and fair elections in Bangladesh and around the world, but I’m not here to endorse one political candidate or party versus another.” He was speaking at a regular briefing in Washington. "It’s our immense hope that the Bangladesh Government does look into the contents of this article and video (DW documentary on RAB)," Patel said. He said as per their assessment, the Digital Security Act is "one of the world’s most draconian laws" for journalists. Read: US State Department ‘deeply concerned over use of Digital Security Act’ World Press Freedom Index ranked Bangladesh 162 out of 180 countries, a drop of 10 places from the previous year, Patel said. "And we have made our concerns about this law quite clear. A free press and an informed citizenry are key for any nation and its democratic future," he said. The US Embassy in Dhaka shared updates on the briefing today. Read: PM Hasina to visit Japan on April 25-28 Petal said they want to and are looking forward to deepening their relationship with Bangladesh. That’s why, he said, Secretary Blinken met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. "We, again, are looking forward to deepening our relationship with Bangladesh as a whole," he added. Read more; Pranay Verma highlights “deep bonds of friendship, cooperation” with Bangladesh