US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun is coming to Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon to discuss Bangladesh-US cooperation on Covid-19 response, recovery efforts and sustainable economic development.
According to the state department, his engagements in Bangladesh will also focus on “advancing our common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all.”
The US is pursuing Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) in the region.
During his visit from October 14-16, Biegun will meet with senior government officials and reaffirm the United States-Bangladesh partnership.
He is coming from New Delhi where he has been visiting since Oct 12.
A senior official at the foreign ministry told Bangladesh Post that the Deputy Secretary is expected to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gonobhaban on Thursday at 12pm.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam will host a dinner in honor of the visiting deputy secretary on Wednesday.
Bangladesh will raise the Rohingya issue during his visit and seek strong support for their quick repatriation to Myanmar, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, earlier, said.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation deal on November 23, 2017. But there have been botched attempts in November 2018 and August 2019.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh would also seek investment in infrastructure development during the visit.
Issues related to visa will also be discussed since Bangladeshi students are not getting the US visa due to pandemic whereas those from other countries are being given.
