Nisha finds Dhaka visit fruitful

Describing the Bangladesh tour as productive, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal said the trip helped advance cooperation on countering terrorism and extremism.

"Home after a productive trip to Bangladesh where we advanced cooperation on countering terrorism and extremism," she tweeted after returning home wrapping up her two-day visit to Dhaka.

In one of her three consecutive tweets, Biswal mentioned that they share a common goal of stopping "murderers and terrorists" who seek to sow fear and undermine democracy and fundamental freedoms.

"Clear that there are a diversity of views on religion, race and sexual orientation in Bangladesh,” her second tweet read.

Biswal wrapped up her two-day visit on Thursday that followed the conversation between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and US Secretary of State John Kerry on April 28 to discuss the bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism and countering violent extremism.

Kerry proposed to send Biswal to Bangladesh to discuss this issue further.

During her stay in Dhaka, Biswal said they have no reason to doubt claims by the terrorists groups saying that they either sought to work or are trying to create connections with groups here.

While talking to the media, she said they wanted to see the "conclusion" of the government efforts and investigations into the case of Xulhaz Mannan killing.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and the United States are likely to co-host a United Nations High Level Meeting on large scale movement of refugees and migrants during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next September in New York.

Biswal indicated that US President Barack Obama intended to extend an invitation to Hasina to co-host the sideline event. She also indicated they were looking forward to holding the fifth partnership dialogue between the two countries in Washington in June.

During the discussion, Biswal underscored the importance of the growing bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and the United Sates in counterterrorism and countering violent extremism.