Govt has no apprehension of fresh sanctions: Shahriar Alam

State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said the government has no apprehension of fresh sanctions by the US or the Western countries on the country's law enforcing agencies.

He made the remark while answering queries of newsmen at the foreign ministry on Monday. Bangladesh has recently directed the mission chiefs to remain alert about new sanctions in the days to come.

While answering queries of newsmen about new sanctions, Shahriar Alam said, "We are maintaining regular communications with the US. There were some misunderstandings between us [Bangladesh and the US]. We are working on the sanctions the US slapped on us. Due to this, a quarter has shown interest over the relations between Bangladesh and USA. BNP-Jamaat took an initiative to make water trouble and catch fish from there."

Drawing attention of BNP, the state minister said, "They expected another sanction will come between 9 and 10 December. They called a rally on that day. This is the proof as to how much they depend on lobbyists and propaganda machine. If anyone wants to do politics, he or she has to win public support, as it is not possible to do politics with support of foreigners. This will never happen. Someone may be benefited temporarily from it. We have noticed at different occasions, and especially incidents after 1/11 have proved that. But that did not sustain." 

About Bangladesh's relation with the US, the state minister for foreign affairs said, "Our first priority is to take the relation to a new height and deepen further.

In December 2021, the United States of America imposed sanctions on six former and current officials of Bangladesh's elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for gross human rights violation.