US assistant secretary for south and central Asian affairs Nisha Biswal will visit Dhaka on November 16-18 mainly to discuss with government and opposition figures challenges relating to the coming general election. US has been encouraging the ruling party and opposition leaders to end the election disputes through dialogue as Washington wants a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Bangladesh.
This will be Biswal’s first visit to Bangladesh since her appointment on October 21.
She is now visiting Tokyo since November 12 for the fifth US-India-Japan trilateral consultation focusing on enhancing regional connectivity, economic prosperity, maritime security, and response to natural disasters.
A media note released by the US embassy in Dhaka said Biswal will discuss shared global, regional, and bilateral priorities with Bangladesh government, opposition, labour and civil society leaders.
She will meet with government officials, political leaders, labour groups, and civil society representatives during her stay in Bangladesh.
Foreign ministry officials said she is expected to call on prime minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia, foreign minister Dipu Moni, commerce minister GM Qader, labour and employment minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, trade union leaders, civil society representatives and the media.
Officials said so far her meetings with Dipu Moni and foreign secretary Shahidul Haque have been finalised. She is expected to meet Khaleda Zia sometime on Sunday.
She is scheduled to depart Dhaka on Nov 18 evening.
-With New Age input
