Outgoing US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has said Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is a "role model and inspiration" for women leaders in government. He said Dr Chaudhury has been an invaluable partner, counselor and friend. "Greatly enjoyed our farewell discussion on enhancing engagement between Bangladesh Parliament and the US Congress," Ambassador Miller tweeted after his meeting with the Speaker on Thursday.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller was summoned by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Saturday to convey Dhaka’s “discontent” over the designated sanctions imposed by the US Departments of Treasury and of State on some of the present and former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Foreign Secretary Momen expressed Bangladesh’s disappointment that the decision was taken "unilaterally" by the US administration without any prior consultation with the government of Bangladesh. He flagged that the issues that were cited for imposing the designated sanctions remained under active discussions, including under the framework of the regular institutional dialogues between the two sides, and yet the US decision came without any prior intimation. The Foreign Secretary regretted that the US decided to undermine an agency of the government that had been on the forefront of combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other heinous transnational crimes that were considered to be shared priorities with successive US administrations. The Foreign Secretary regretted that the allegations made against RAB over certain specific incidents had been explained, along with information on the corresponding justice and accountability measures undertaken, to not just to the US administration but also to a number of UN human rights mechanisms on multiple occasions. READ: US imposes sanctions on RAB, 7 individuals Masud Momen stated that the US decision appeared to have been based more on unverified or unsubstantiated allegations of command responsibility than on the facts involved in connection with certain specific incidents that had taken place at the local level. The Foreign Secretary said the decision targeting the Bangladesh officials was made in tandem with those concerning certain countries that stand alleged to have committed serious international crimes, i.e. 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing’, by the UN and other concerned international bodies. He emphasized that the government of Bangladesh remained committed to upholding the rule of law and human rights, and maintained a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any wrongdoings or aberrations by its law enforcement agencies. Foreign Secretary Momen stressed that all uniformed services in Bangladesh followed a set of legal and administrative procedures to address any allegation of wrongdoing against any of their members, and that RAB was no exception in this regard.  READ: US engagement in Indo-Pacific not against any country: Miller Foreign Secretary Momen underscored the need for pursuing the pathway of dialogue, engagement and collaboration, instead of resorting to ‘naming and shaming’ that has proven to be a self-defeating exercise. He highlighted that the observance of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries next year should open up further avenues to enhance the breadth and dimensions of the existing partnership. Ambassador Miller took note of the concerns raised by the Government of Bangladesh, and assured of conveying the same to his Capital, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  He concurred that the excellent multifaceted relations between two countries could be further deepened through established consultation mechanisms and high level visits. Ambassador Miller also expressed the US government’s willingness to remain closely engaged with the government of Bangladesh in the coming days on the issues of mutual interest. The United States on Friday imposed human rights-related sanctions on Benzir Ahmed, current Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police and former Director General of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and six other individuals on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. The US Department of State announced visa restrictions on Benazir Ahmed, which it says, due to his “involvement in gross violations of human rights” making him ineligible for entry into the United States. RAB as an entity, Benzir Ahmed, and six other officials were designated by the Department of the Treasury under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme in connection with serious human rights abuse, said the US Department of State.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has said that the world must put in joint efforts to confront the climate crisis right now instead of leaving the challenge for future generations. “The climate crisis is here. This is not a challenge for future generations. Together, we must confront it today," he said mentioning that COP26 in Glasgow is a pivotal moment at the start of this decisive decade to tackle the climate crisis. While COP26 continues in Glasgow, Scotland, Miller visited U.S. government climate resilience projects in Cox’s Bazar and travelled to St. Martin’s Island to assess the effects of climate change and learn about local adaptation efforts. Also read: COP26: Bangladesh announces 37bn-dollar budget to tackle climate change damages Miller learned about severe coastal erosion and sea level rise on the island, the impact on local fisheries, the degradation of coral colonies, and local efforts to restore mangroves and protect shorelines.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has launched the "Bangladesh Trade Facilitation," a new agriculture and economic development project funded by the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. US Ambassador Earl R Miller joined the minister at the inaugural ceremony held at a Dhaka hotel Wednesday. Tipu emphasised the government's "commitment to ensuring self-sufficiency in food production, supplying safe and nutritious food as well as commercialising the agriculture sector, making it a profitable venture for poor farmers." Noting the investment from the American people, Ambassador Miller, in turn, confirmed the US government's support for Bangladesh's reform measures and promotion of a business-friendly trade environment. "This project will facilitate and incentivise investment, construction, and the operation of new cold storage facilities to improve and expand on Bangladesh's refrigerated logistics network," Miller added. Also read: Bangladesh-Bhutan Dialogue held in Bumthang to promote trade, investment

ABM Sarwer-E-Alom Sarker, assistant press secretary to the prime minister, has gifted US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller some photos of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The photos were taken at Tufts University during the US Department of State's Foreign Leaders Exchange Programme in 1958. The US ambassador tweeted the photos Thursday on his verified Twitter account.

US Ambassador Earl R Miller has announced another consignment of three million doses of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine for Bangladesh. These vaccine doses are coming to Bangladesh from the American people via the COVAX facility, he said. "The US is committed to increasing the country’s vaccine supply to beat the pandemic here and worldwide," Ambassador Miller tweeted. READ: Bangladesh’s request for vaccine doses under active consideration: Miller In the first week of July, Bangladesh received the first consignment of 2.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine under the COVAX facility. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will receive 20 lakh doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China on Saturday night as part of a commercial agreement. Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, Hualong Yan told UNB on Friday that the vaccine doses would arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in two planes.

Bangladesh has urged the United States to take proactive role in stopping the bloodshed immediately amid Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “The UN and other nations are surely trying and will continue to try. But we think the US has a scope to play the biggest role,” he said after his meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. While talking to a small group of journalists, including the UNB correspondent, Shahriar said the US is very closely monitoring the situation. Also read: Palestine crisis: Embassy shares ways on its Facebook page to send financial support The US Ambassador said they see and understand the sentiment of the people of Bangladesh. The State Minister expressed Bangladesh’s deep concern about the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict and reiterated Bangladesh’s position that the UN Security Council needs to take up the issue, as stated by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at an OIC Executive Committee meeting recently. The State Minister also reiterated Bangladesh’s support for the two-state solution. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Dr Momen said Bangladesh believes in a comprehensive and durable solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quarter Road Map. Also read: Islami Andolon Bangladesh demonstrates against Israeli aggression in Palestine He said as the principal organ of the UN charged with ensuring international peace and security, the UN Security Council should take up the issue of violence and breach of security in the Al-Quds Al-Shareef and the entire occupied land of the State of Palestine. 

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has emphasised the continued commitment of the US government to working in partnership with Bangladesh to eliminate Trafficking-in-Persons. 

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has said the Bangladesh-US relations will only get stronger with no major changes under the new Biden Administration.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has thanked the Bangladeshis for their support, friendship and partnership during this difficult time and shared commitment to democracy.