US has no plan to impose sanctions on Bangladesh: Congressman Meeks

Influential US congressman and chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Gregory W Meeks has said they do not want to impose any sanctions on Bangladesh as there is an excellent relationship between the United States and Bangladesh.

"We want to make sure we aren't (imposing any sanctions) against Bangladesh and we're still working with the government and people of Bangladesh," he told a fundraising luncheon function at a restaurant in New York's Queens area on Monday, reports UNB.

Meeks, also an eminent lawyer, has been a US representative of Democratic Party from New York since 1998, and serving as the chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs since 2021.

"We aren't imposing any embargo on Bangladesh. The sanctions were imposed on some individuals of an organisation, not the entire organisation ... we're looking into the scenario there," he added.

The US Congressman also replied to a question about a vested quarter who is strongly lobbying from inside and outside Bangladesh for imposing sanctions on more officials and the politicians as well, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.

"We'll not do it as per their words ... it's not possible, and we'll take the right steps after scrutinising all things," he said.

Meeks said he will visit Bangladesh this year to see the human rights situation and other issues. "Before then, I'll talk to the State Department and Congress Sub-Committee on the Asia-Pacific ... if necessary, we'll arrange a hearing in the Congress on Bangladesh issues," he said.

Known for his compassionate and tenacious representation of his constituents, and his coalition-building skills, Chairman Meeks proudly serves the constituents of New York's Fifth Congressional District, which is a major Bangladeshi American concentration.