Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal met Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina, opposition leader Khaleda Zia, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and BGMEA leaders, besides members of the business community and civil society on Sunday. Biswal told Hasina that the US government wants to see credible elections in Bangladesh with the participation of all political parties. “She also observed that democracy is at an advanced stage in Bangladesh. She expressed hope that democratic practices would further accelerate through free and fair polls,” Bijon Lal Deb, deputy press secretary of the PM, told reporters after the meeting.
“The prime minister assured Desai that her government is committed to holding a free and fair election. She also hoped that all the political parties would participate in the next poll,” Deb elaborated.
Earlier, in the morning, Biswal held a meeting with Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus at the Gulshan residence of US ambassador Dan Mozena. During the hour-long meeting, Biswal wanted to know from Dr Yunus about the country’s political situation. Besides, Dr Yunus’s upcoming trip to Myanmar also came up for discussion.
“As a fan of the Grameen Bank, Biswal wanted to know from me about the present situation of the bank. I informed her of the concerns I have about the bank and the prevailing political situation in the country,” Dr Yunus told reporters.
The US assistant secretary also held separate meetings with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) officials on Sunday. Later, she attended a lunch hosted by the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufactures’ and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA) at a local hotel.
In the evening, Biswal attended a reception in her honour hosted by ambassador Mozena at his residence. Politicians, civil society representatives, eminent citizens and senior journalists were present at the reception.
The US official is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister’s international affairs adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi on Monday, in addition to foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, commerce secretary Mahbub Ahmed and labour secretary Mikail Shipar. She would later call on commerce minister GM Quader and foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni at their respective offices.
Biswal, who was sworn in on October 21, replacing Robert Blake, arrived on Saturday noon from Tokyo on her maiden trip to Bangladesh in her new capacity. She exchanged views with a select group of civil society members at Mozena’s residence Saturday night.
-With The Independent input
