After the White House, the US Department of State has also trashed reports that claimed the United States was involved in former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. "That’s laughable," Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at a regular briefing in Washington on August 13. He said any implication that the United States was involved in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is absolutely false. "We have seen a lot of disinformation in recent weeks," Patel said. Read more: What Dhaka wants from Delhi: Ending border killings, conclusion of Teesta deal, supply of essential commodities He said they remain incredibly committed to strengthening information integrity across the digital ecosystem, especially with their partners in South Asia. Earlier, the White House ruled out any involvement of the United States behind the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, stressing that it is false. "So, we have had no involvement at all. Any — any reports or rumours that the United States government was involved in these — in these events is simply, simply false. That is not true," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a press briefing on August 12. She said this is a choice for and by the Bangladeshi people.   "We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of the Bangladeshi government, and that’s where we stand," said the White House Press Secretary. "Any allegations, certainly, we will continue to say, and I have said here, is simply not true," she added. A journalist mentioned that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reported to allies that she was thrown out — or forced to be out of power because the U.S. wanted to have one of the islands given to them - the United States of America.   Read more: Complaint lodged at International Crimes Tribunal against Hasina, top officials for crimes against humanity and genocide And since — because they didn’t agree to it, she was forced to resign, the questioner mentioned. The press secretary said they are going to continue to monitor the situation. 

Though there is no report in Bangladesh media or from law enforcement agencies regarding any death during the current student protests, the US Department of State says otherwise raising a question whether it fell prey to rumours seen on social media platforms. "So we are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds," US Department of State Spokesperson Mathew Miller said at a regular media briefing in Washington on Monday, July 15. How a night of utter mayhem unfolded at JU When specific information was sought from the US Embassy in Dhaka, its acting Spokesperson Leonard Hill told UNB on Tuesday morning that the statement was “monitoring reports” that included the injuries and deaths. "We are always looking for the most accurate information and welcome journalists’ work to uncover the truth," he said. Quota reform: Protesters announce their Tuesday programme Spokesperson Miller said the "freedom of expression and peaceful assembly" are essential building blocks of any thriving democracy. "We condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this violence," he said during the briefing. Despite BCL cranking up violence to intimidate students, quota reformists not cowering Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said the government would not allow anyone to cause instability in the country, noting that there is an effort to turn the anti-quota movement into an anti-state and anti-government movement by exploiting the sentiments of young students. “The government will not allow this. This government is a very strong government. No political evil force will be allowed to destabilise the country by playing with the sentiments of young students,” he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hasan said anti-state slogans were chanted from the quota movement on Sunday night. “Through the Liberation War in 1971, this country gained independence, sacrificing the blood of 30 lakh martyrs. Here, chanting slogans in favour of razakars are anti-state.” “It is clear that political evil forces have entered the quota movement, including BNP and Jamaat, who want to destabilise the country, and some of their planted people are leading it,” Hasan said.

The United States has said it is closely monitoring the developments in the case against Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. “We will continue to encourage the Bangladeshi government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for Dr. Yunus as the appeals process continues,” said Mathew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, during a regular briefing on June 4. Miller expressed concerns that these cases might represent a “misuse” of Bangladesh’s labor laws to “harass and intimidate” Dr. Yunus. Court sets June 12 for decision on whether Yunus to go on trial in embezzlement case “We also worry that the perceived misuse of labor and anti-corruption laws could raise questions about the rule of law and dissuade foreign direct investment,” he added. The government of Bangladesh has maintained that it is not a party to the case involving Dr. Muhammad Yunus and emphasized the independence and transparency of its judicial process. “With due respect to Dr. Yunus, I would like to say that the judicial process of Bangladesh is transparent. That's why many members of the ruling party face trials and even jail sentences,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told journalists recently. Dr Yunus suffering for deceiving 1.05 cr Grameen Bank members, says the bank’s Chief Legal Advisor

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday cautioned opposition leaders and activists against complacency regarding US sanctions on former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed. Speaking at a discussion, he urged the BNP followers to focus on unseating the Awami League government through their own efforts rather than relying on others. “If I can't manage my own house, no one else will do it for me. Many may be happy over the sanctions on Aziz...I think it’s misleading and we’re always getting confused," Fakhrul said. He recalled that the US also imposed sanctions earlier on RAB and the officers of the elite force and the police but it could not stop the ‘terrible journey’ of the current regime. “We have to stand on our own feet, stand with our own strength and defeat them with our own strength,” he said. A faction of Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) marking the seventh death anniversary of the party founder Shafiul Alam Prodhan. The US Department of State on Monday imposed sanctions on Aziz Ahmed and his immediate family members due to “his involvement in significant corruption". Fakhrul said BNP and the entire world have long been saying that the government has been deeply mired in corruption. "They deny it and claim they don’t indulge in corruption. Now, you see today's news that the US has imposed sanctions on former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed along with his family." He said the reasons behind the sanctions on Aziz involve indulging in corruption, influencing democratic institutions, and eroding people's trust. "This is what we've been trying to say for a long time." The BNP leader accused the government of committing various misdeeds one after another by using the state machinery. He also alleged that the government has created a reign of terror and spread fear with its efforts to use the military, the judiciary and the administration. Even, the BNP leader said journalists now cannot write reports freely as they have to think carefully about every word they choose, fearing jail or lawsuits. “This is the current situation of the country." He said many times it is wrongly interpreted that the BNP wants to engage in ousting the government. "We want to get back the right to vote, and through that votes, we will defeat you (govt). All of us must be willing to make more sacrifices to have that right restored." Fakhrul called upon the opposition leaders and workers to be united further to take to the streets against the government. “There is no alternative to taking to the streets. We don’t know any other path. We must come forward openly and fight (against the govt)." Stating that BNP is not a radical or revolutionary party, he said their party, as a liberal democratic one, must create such an atmosphere where the government will not be able to block a free, fair and credible election.   "No one else will do that for us...we have to achieve that ourselves." We must be more united in demanding fair and impartial elections, and we must intensify the movement.” The BNP leader said their party has been working with its alliance partners to work out the strategy of their movement and strengthen their strength to get rid of the current monstrous regime.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (May 21, 2024) said there is someone “paid by BNP,” deployed in the US Department of State regular briefing, to ask questions purposefully for generating negative response.  "There’s someone there who used to work for Khaleda Zia's press wing. He is paid by BNP. He asks questions purposefully to try and get negative answers about Bangladesh. He asks questions intentionally," the minister told reporters at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).  The Foreign Minister was referring to Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, former assistant press secretary to the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Hasan made the remarks when his attention was drawn to him being misquoted at the latest US State Department briefing.  US decision against former army chief Gen Aziz not under visa policy: Foreign Minister "Is the U.S. considering reinstating the GSP facilities for Bangladeshi product, as Bangladeshi foreign minister told the – on Saturday, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu assured Washington would consider reinstating the GSP facilities for Bangladesh?" Ansarey's question reads.  On the GSP issue, the foreign minister actually said the US wants to help Bangladesh get it back when the program is reintroduced. "I talked to the press based on facts and what is true," Hasan said, adding that Bangladesh and the US are working on the labour front to further improve the overall conditions in line with the US desire, and they want to give it back if the US reintroduces the GSP facility. "After the meeting with the visiting Assistant Secretary Donald Lu, Bangladesh’s ruling prime minister advisor told the reporters that White House and the State Departments are very much willing to remove the sanctions as U.S. imposed sanction on RAB, Rapid Action Battalion, for the extreme violation of human rights and extrajudicial killing. So he said that the State Department and White House working to remove the sanctions," Ansarey said in another media briefing.  DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and General Secretary Mohiuddin also spoke at the event.  Read more: Ex Army chief Aziz, his immediate family members ineligible for entry into US

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (May 13, 2024) said that issues related to visa policy and Dhaka’s call for withdrawal of sanctions may come up for discussion during Donald Lu’s visit. “These issues may naturally come up,” he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will raise these issues as US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka on May 14.   Lu will be here as part of his tri-nation tour of the region (May 10-15). He visited India and is now visiting Sri Lanka. Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Dhaka, where he will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to discuss Bangladesh-US cooperation, including addressing the climate crisis and deepening economic ties, according to the US Department of State. Read more: France to provide assistance to Bangladesh in installing lightning prevention devices: State Minister The foreign minister said Bangladesh maintains excellent relations with the United States and they will work together to take the relations further. “Whoever visits Bangladesh from the US administration, we will work together to advance our relationship. There are economic relations and we have cooperation in various fields,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the January 7 national election, the US in a statement on January 8 said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties." In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh. "There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with the US delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time. Read more: Hasan Mahmud for a strong cultural renaissance in favour of development, humanity

The US Department of State has selected four distinguished scientists to serve as Science Envoys for 2024. They are Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Dr. Stephanie “Steffi” Diem, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Dr. Dawn Wright.   Through the US Science Envoy Program, eminent American scientists and engineers leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation to advance solutions to shared challenges, champion innovation, and demonstrate America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.   The scientists selected to participate in 2024 make up the first all-female cohort in the history of the US Science Envoy Program, said the US Department of State. The US Science Envoy program was established by the Secretary of State in 2010.   Read: Irish Minister Simon Coveney pays homage to Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi-32 Like their 30 predecessors, the 2024 Cohort will travel as private US citizens to engage internationally with civil society as well as government interlocutors.   Science Envoys help inform the Department of State, other US government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.   The State Department selected the 2024 cohort to take advantage of their expertise in key issues facing the world today: Artificial Intelligence, Fusion Energy, Civil Use of Space, and Ocean Sustainability. Dr. Rumman Chowdhury is a data scientist and social scientist. She is the CEO of Humane Intelligence, a technology nonprofit that builds a community of practice around evaluations of artificial intelligence (AI) models.   Dr. Chowdhury is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.  Previously, Dr. Chowdhury served as Director of the Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability team at Twitter, as well as the Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence.  Read: UN envoy: Finding that some hostages were victims of sexual violence doesn’t justify Israeli attacks She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People in AI, BBC’s 100 Women, Worthy Magazine’s top 100, the Bay Area’s top 40 under 40, and Forbes’ labeled her one of Five Who are Shaping AI.   Dr. Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from MIT, a M.S. in Quantitative Methods of the Social Sciences from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, San Diego.

The United States will continue to take steps to deepen partnership with Bangladesh. "There are a number of steps that we have and will continue to take when it comes to deepening our partnership with Bangladesh," said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel during a regular briefing at the US Department of State in Washington on January 22. The US official made the remark when a journalist wanted to know what specific action the US is considering to deepen its partnership with Bangladesh. Read more: No possibility of any 'diplomatic crisis' in country: Law Minister Patel specifically mentioned cooperation in addressing climate issues and security where the US believes there is opportunity. "Of course, through that there – we have the opportunity to also engage with non-government actors as well, which we believe is also key and critical to deepening this relationship also," Patel said. After the formation of the new government, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and discussed how the two countries would work together on issues of mutual importance such as climate change, business opportunities, and the Rohingya crisis. “I look forward to working closely in the coming months to advance our relations based on mutual interest,” Haas said. Read more: China keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh

The United States has ruled out any perception that it does not recognise Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fourth straight term. At a regular briefing at the US Department of State on January 18, a journalist asked, “So, when you say that the election results in Bangladesh were not credible, free, or fair, does this imply that the US will not recognize Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fourth straight term?”‘ In reply, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “No, no.” US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson Miller said they are now encouraging the government of Bangladesh to credibly and transparently investigate the reports of violence, to hold perpetrators accountable. “We urge all parties to reject political violence,” he said. Miller said the US remains concerned by the arrest of political opposition members and by the reports of irregularities on election day. US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson “We regret that not all parties participated, and we condemn the violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it,” he said. On Wednesday, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and discussed how the two countries would work together on issues of mutual importance such as climate change, business opportunities and the Rohingya crisis. “I look forward to working closely in the coming months to advance our relations based on mutual interest,” Haas said. Free, fair and peaceful’ election continues to be the focus of US’ engagement with Bangladesh govt: State Dept Spokesperson 

The United States has once again said it supports "free and fair" elections in Bangladesh. "We think the future of the Bangladeshi government should be determined by its people," US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular media briefing on Monday (November 13, 2023) when a reporter wanted to know why the US government must discuss Bangladesh-related issues with India. Miller said the United States is not taking a side in Bangladesh’s elections. Read: Peter Haas has requested meetings with senior leaders of 3 major parties: US Embassy "We do not support one political party over the other. We support free and fair elections," he added. Miller also said, "I welcome the attempts by various reporters to draw me into internal Bangladeshi political matters, and I’m going to continue to refrain from doing so." On Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam reiterated that the next general election in Bangladesh will be held as per the constitution, regardless of “who’s doing what.” He said election is an internal matter of the people of Bangladesh and the election will be held under the constitution and relevant laws. The Election Commission is taking preparations to hold the next national election by January next year and is likely to announce polls schedules soon. Read: Election will be held as per constitution regardless of ‘who’s doing what’: Shahriar Alam Earlier, Law Minister Anisul Huq conveyed to the UN Human Rights Council that opposition party BNP’s demand for holding the next national election under a caretaker government is “completely unconstitutional and illegal.” Mentioning Bangladesh’s independent Election Commission, he said the government is committed to hold the next national election in a “free, fair and peaceful” manner with the participation of people.