Counterterrorism: US official commends Dhaka's role

A visiting senior official of the US Department of State has commended Bangladesh's “tremendous” role in counterterrorism initiatives and said that the US will continue to cooperate in this area. 

Terming the bilateral relationship “extraordinary”, Alice G Wells, acting assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, has said the US attaches great value to its relationship with Bangladesh.

Wells, who arrived in Dhaka yesterday morning for one-and-a-half-day visit, made the comments during a meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at State Guesthouse Padma. This is her maiden visit to Bangladesh.

She also had separate meetings with Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique.

Diplomatic sources said during the meetings, the US diplomat discussed various issues of mutual interest, including development cooperation, trade and investment, terrorism and violent extremism, energy and global issues, with top government officials.

"Topics for discussion include Bangladesh's bilateral relations with the United States, security situation, energy and regional issues,” said a press release of the US embassy. 

Wells is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 10:00am today and then leave Dhaka for Colombo where she will speak at the Indian Ocean Conference, which will bring together high-level officials from around the world to discuss peace, progress and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.

During the meeting with the foreign minister, Wells said her visit would give her a wonderful opportunity to be acquainted with the country.

While discussing the situation of Rakhine state in Myanmar, she stated that the current situation in Myanmar was “quite concerning”, said a foreign ministry press release.

Mahmood explained the evolving situation there including the recent initiatives taken by the Bangaldesh government to this end.