Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday conveyed to UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West that the reform initiatives are aimed at ensuring “free and fair" elections in the country and to break away from the "rampant vote rigging" practiced by the previous regime. During the meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, Prof Yunus described his government's reform initiatives to fix the country's key institutions and the election commission. Minister West backed the reforms, saying Britain would like to see vibrant debates on the key aspects of electoral, judiciary and constitutional reforms. "Debates are very important." Dhaka seeks stronger cooperation with London for tracing, return of "stolen" wealth She said her government would extend “full support” to Bangladesh, including in its efforts to bring back billions of dollars of laundered money, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. "It is important to let you know that you've got our support," Catherine West said. The British minister said the United Kingdom would also extend its support to Dhaka's efforts to bring back tens of billions of dollars siphoned off abroad during Sheikh Hasina's nearly 16-year-long rule. Yunus thanked her, saying that returning money laundered by corrupt politicians, oligarchs and bureaucrats is a top priority of the interim government. He quoted a recent Transparency International Bangladesh report, saying that annually more than 12 billion dollars were siphoned off abroad. UK expects Prof Yunus to lay out his vision: Catherine West The minister announced £10.3 million of UK grant support to provide essential services and assistance to the Rohingya refugees, the host communities and those affected by natural disasters in Bangladesh. Prof Yunus reiterated his call for a "UN-overseen safe zone" for communities in Myanmar's violence-plagued Rakhine so that they don't have to flee across the border to Bangladesh and charities and aid groups can take food and assistance at the doorsteps of the displaced people. During the meeting, they also discussed geopolitical issues, minority rights, ties with South Asian neighbours, and Bangladesh's recent 40 megawatt energy deal with Nepal. Yunus said his government has fully backed the creation of a South Asia electricity grid to bring power from hydroelectricity-rich Nepal and Bhutan. Rohingya Crisis: "No light at the end of the tunnel yet" He said Bangladesh can ease off its reliance on fossil fuels if it can import renewable energy from the two Himalayan countries. He said Bangladesh needs collaboration with India to this effect. During the meeting, Sarah Cook, the British High Commissioner to Dhaka, said a UK medical team arrived in the country this month to treat students and other demonstrators who were critically injured during the July-August mass uprising. "They are conducting three surgeries a day," she said.

British Foreign and Development Office (FCDO) Minister for South Asia and Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmed has said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the foundation of a strong partnership and deep friendship that Bangladesh-UK has been enjoying in the past five decades. He lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for upholding the spirit and values of Bangabandhu in building a self-reliant, secular and inclusive Bangladesh with maximal climate prosperity and resilient green future; and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to remain a critical partner of Bangladesh seeking to support peace and prosperity for its entire people. Addressing a virtual programme in London recently, the British Minister congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the people of Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshis as Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of its Independence, according to Bangladesh High Commission in London. Bangladesh High Commission in London commenced a nine-month celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence and hosted a high-profile discussion and diplomatic reception held recently where ministers, leader of the opposition, members of House of Lords, Mayor of London and eminent parliamentarians from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales paid their profound homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of 1971 War of Liberation. They highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the unprecedented growth and prosperity the country achieved under her visionary leadership. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem chaired the event. Also read: Bangabandhu is an inspiration to many who fight for liberty, democracy: UK Minister Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Labour Party Deputy Leader and Chair Angela Rayner, MP, Foreign Affairs Select Committee Chair at the House of Commons Tom Tugendhat, MP, Conservative Party Vice-Chair Ms Nickie Aiken, MP, International Ambassador of the Conservative Party Lord Hannan, Chair of All-party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh and the UK’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh Rushanara Ali, MP, Apsana Begum, MP, Sarah Boyack, MSP and IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim spoke as panelists.

British Foreign and Development Office (FCDO) Minister for South Asia and Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmed has said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Bangabandhu is "an inspiration" not just to the Bengali community across the world but to many who fight for liberty and democracy.

British Foreign Office Minister of State Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon on Saturday said their staff will continue to support those Britons who remain in Bangladesh throughout this crisis and beyond.