Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Michael Kugelman has said it may be more difficult for the US to make a “conclusive judgment” on the upcoming national election results in Bangladesh if opposition BNP boycotts it. “Because if the Awami League is running against itself, if it gets 98% of the vote, you can't say that those votes were taken away from the BNP. So it's all very unsettled,” he told UNB in an interview, noting that the Biden administration wants a free and fair election in Bangladesh and at the end of the day, the US wants to have a good relationship with Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh keeps reiterating that it is committed to holding a “free, fair and peaceful” election in the country. The next national election is likely to be held in December this year or January next. EU expects next election in Bangladesh to be free, fair and free from violence: Gilmore in exclusive interview

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said the story of Bangladeshis in the United States carries significance. “The strength of our democracy is in our people, and the strength of our people gets full expression in our democracy,” he said. Speaking at a reception marking the Independence Day (July 4) of United States on Sunday evening, Haas said that they believe the principles that define America, extend beyond its borders.  Read: EU's special representative for human rights due in Bangladeash Speaker of the Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was the chief guest at the event. “And we also believe that those values with anchor US-Bangladeshi ties, now and in the future,” he said. The US celebrated its 247th Independence Day. In the United States, the ambassador said, Independence Day celebrations are a combination of patriotic speeches and backyard BBQs, of military parades and fireworks, and of music that runs the gamut from the “Star-Spangled Banner” to “Born in the USA” to “Bad to the Bone.” Read: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students choosing US for higher education: Ambassador Haas In short, they celebrate the principles upon which they were founded. “And we have fun doing it. And that is what we are here to do tonight,” said the Ambassador. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” Haas said. “Standing here now, in 2023, I note these principles of equality and democracy don’t apply just to men, but also to women, and the whole diverse range of Americans, regardless of race, color, or creed,” he added. Read: People in support of fair polls have nothing to fear, Peter Haas says on new US visa policy The United States and Bangladesh share similar ideals that motivated struggles for independence, said the ambassador. Almost two centuries after 1776, Bangladesh fought the Liberation War based on four similar principles: nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism, he said. “These shared principles, and the success of our nations’ ability to continually ‘form a more perfect Union’ are – and will be – the anchor of US-Bangladesh relations,” he said. A special photo exhibition was held on the occasion that captured the spirit of George Thorogood’s tour, with a Bangladeshi twist. This exhibition showcases Bangladeshis who have made their homes in many of the 50 states of America.  Read: Bangladesh can draw more investment if corruption remains less prevalent: Peter Haas “These photographs are a testament to the diversity that flourishes within our borders, where people from all walks of life, including Bangladeshis, have found a place to call home,” said the US ambassador. “Through this exhibition, we witness the remarkable stories of Bangladeshis who have embraced the American dream, contributing their skills, culture, and heritage to the vibrant mosaic of our society,” he said. “Their presence all over the United States exemplifies the strength and resilience of the American people, a strength rooted in our shared values of liberty, justice, and equality,” Haas said.

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

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said there is nothing to worry about the newly announced US visa policy, noting that the government is neither feeling pressure nor any discomfort. With this announcement, he hoped that parties which resort to violence, arson and destruction would remain cautious. "We don't want arson, violence and destruction. I hope these acts will come down," Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when his comment was sought. Responding to a question, Momen said they are not under any additional pressure from the US, noting that the relationship with the US is excellent. “We are not sure. It is yet to be tested. We do not know yet how helpful it will be. He (Ambassador Haas) could not tell whether they have become successful by applying such policy in any other country,” he told reporters after his meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas. Describing the letter he received from the US Secretary of State as very encouraging, Momen said Bangladesh Awami League is committed to holding a free and fair election.   He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants free and fair elections and this policy will further strengthen her position. "We want free and fair elections. Our Prime Minister is committed to it," Momen said, adding that Awami League always believes in voters. The Foreign Minister said they see very positively that they received from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This policy supports Prime Minister Hasina’s stated commitment to hold free and fair elections in Bangladesh, Momen said, quoting the letter. He mentioned the use of transparent ballot boxes that made the norm to establish confidence among the electorates as well as the polling officials and agents. Momen also mentioned a strong National Election Commission is in place. He said all parties will have to have political commitment for a free and fair election. Asked whether the government accepts or rejects the new visa policy, Momen said there is nothing to accept or reject as this is a policy announced by the US.   Read more: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam

The United States has said that they maintain a "broad and deep" relationship with Bangladesh, and that they also want to advance the ties. "The United States maintains a broad and deep relationship with Bangladesh that we seek to advance," an official at the US Embassy in Dhaka told UNB. Read more: PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it The response came when the US Embassy's attention was drawn to a media report that claims more US sanctions could be coming.

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.

US President Joe Biden has said his country acknowledges their enduring partnership with Dhaka and termed Bangladesh's economic growth in the past 50 years “a remarkable story”. “I hope our nations will continue to work on democratic governance, climate change, refugees, and maritime security. We are invested in your success and support the ability of all Bangladeshis to freely participate in and contribute to their country's development,” he said. The US President made the remarks while accepting the credentials of the newly-appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the US, Muhammad Imran, at the White House, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC. “As 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of US-Bangladesh relations, I would like to acknowledge our enduring partnership with Bangladesh,” Biden mentioned in his written remarks. Read more: US National Security Council official arrives Saturday While formally presenting the credentials to the US President recently, Ambassador Imran conveyed the greetings of President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the US President. Welcoming the new Bangladesh envoy in the United States, Biden said his administration looks forward to working with the ambassador to expand bilateral relations between the two countries. “My Administration looks forward to working with you to deepen our relations as we address the opportunities and challenges ahead. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Washington,” he said in a letter to the Ambassador. Biden also assured the Bangladesh ambassador of extending all sorts of cooperation during his tenure in the United States. Read More: India to host "Voice of Global South Summit" January 12-13 virtually under theme "Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”

The US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller, in an interview with UNB, has expressed his confidence that Dhaka-Washington ties would grow stronger. The election of Joe Biden has created such an opportunity. He told UNB, relations between the two countries will only get stronger with no major changes under the new Biden administration.

The United States' approach to Bangladesh, if Joe Biden wins, will be shaped within the broad Asia-Pacific policy and it will be good for countries like Bangladesh if economic cooperation gets priority in the region slowing down militarization efforts, say analysts.