In the run-up to the 2019 general election, the UK said it would keep eyes on Bangladesh's political developments and hoped to see a free and fair vote with the participation of all political parties to advance democratic values.

“We of course observe and see what happens between now and the elections 2019. For us, it is important that the elections are free and fair and they embed democratic values,” said British Foreign Office Minister for Asia and the Pacific Alok Sharma.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, Sharma said in his meetings with political leaders of ruling and opposition parties he emphasised the need for an inclusive election.

“And clearly at the end of the day the best way to make it sure that you have strong democracy is full participation of all parties in elections -- that's a message I delivered consistently in my visit,” he said.

Sharma, who made his first visit to Bangladesh, left Dhaka on Saturday night ending his three-day visit. He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, leader of the opposition Raushan Ershad, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, business leaders, representatives from civil society groups, and minority and faith leaders.

Asked about the last general election, credibility of which was questioned by the Western countries, including the UK, he said, “Our message is entirely consistent which is that whether it is in Bangladesh and whether anywhere else we want democratic values to flourish. We think democratic values strengthen a nation. We believe it provides better support for investors.

"We want to see free and fair election that's a message that I would be giving to many of the countries that I visit which face elections."

Mentioning his meeting with the foreign minister, Sharma said both sides agreed to hold “strategic dialogue” at the end of this month and it would be held between the Bangladesh foreign secretary and his British counterpart.

“There will be detailed discussions in terms of relationship, cooperation in three key areas -- one is prosperity which includes economic exchanges, second is security issues where we can work more closely together, and third is shared values democratic values and respect of human rights”.

So, he said, this was going to be a very comprehensive discussion and would take the detailed work forward in terms of enhanced relationship. “We of course have a multidimensional relationship with Bangladesh that reflects all the areas that will be discussed in the strategic dialogue.”

In reply to another question about security cooperation with Bangladesh, the British minister said terrorism was a threat all faced whether in the UK and Europe and Bangladesh.

As far as the UK is concerned, the British government supports Hasina's stated objective of zero tolerance to terrorism, he said.

“Obviously we need to make sure we have done it in the right way. I think there is opportunity for us to cooperate on issues related to counter-terrorism. This is what I think will also form the basis of the discussion we have in the strategic dialogue.”

Asked about lifting of a ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka to London, he acknowledged that some progress was made since Bangladesh hired a British company to improve the security mechanism.

“We have agreed in our discussions that we need to have a review process where UK and Bangladeshi sides would sit down together and look at what more needs to be done. I am hoping very much that that review process can take place in the near term,” Sharma said.

Asked what could be the impact of the Bexit on Bangladesh-UK economic relations, he said as the UK began talks to leave the European Union, they would first negotiate their deal with the EU and then would start formal negotiation with other countries in terms of trade deals.

“I would say that leaving the EU of course gives us opportunities to do even more together with old established friends like Bangladesh. So I can see the opportunities for us of increasing trade and bilateral investment following our exit from the EU.”