PM Hasina-US security advisor meeting: US reiterates holding free, fair election
The US reiterated the importance of a free and fair election in Bangladesh and fostering the bilateral relationship between both the countries.
US national security advisor Jake Sullivan emphasised the issues while paying a courtesy call on prime minister Sheikh Hasina in Washington on 27 September.
National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby confirmed the media about the meeting at a press conference at the White House in Washington on Tuesday afternoon (Washington time).
Indian state-owned news agency Press Trust of India asked about the meetings of Jack Sullivan with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar last week.
Besides, on the sideline of G-20 meeting in Delhi last month, prime minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with US president Joe Biden.
When asked whether there were discussions on the election and Rohingya issues, John Kirby said they have discussed the importance of of a free, fair and peaceful election in Bangladesh.
"We have talked about the importance of improving our bilateral relationship across a range of issues, including climate change," Kirby added.
Responding to a query about the discussion between prime minister Sheikh Hasina and US president Joe Biden in New Delhi, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday that the election was not the topic of their discussion. Rather, the issue was discussed with some other officials of the White House.
Diplomatic sources in Washington said prime minister Sheikh Hasina visited the Bangladesh embassy in Washington on 27 September during her visit to the US. The US national security advisor Jake Sullivan paid her a courtesy call at the embassy and they discussed various issues for about an hour.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh ambassador in Washington Mohammad Imran and secretary to Prime Minister’s Office Salauddin were present there.
Responding to a query about the discussion between prime minister Sheikh Hasina and US president Joe Biden in New Delhi, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday that the election was not the topic of their discussion. Rather, the issue was discussed with some other officials of the White House.