Dhaka will give an acceptable election message

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh is having a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Washington after one year. AK Abdul Momen. In the meeting to be held in Washington, there are indications that Dhaka will raise the issue of elections. In this case, the government's message about transparent and acceptable elections will be conveyed to Washington.

Besides, Dhaka may request to consider the lifting of sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven senior officers of the force for human rights violations.

On the other hand, Washington may insist on the repeal of the Digital Security Act based on democracy, human rights and recent incidents with journalists.

Diplomatic sources say that Bangladesh has had to go through bad relations with the United States for several days on human rights, democracy or RAB issues. However, the Dhaka-Washington relationship is progressing well to increase connectivity with the series of visits of important officials of the two countries.

Regarding Momen-Blinken's meeting, a diplomatic source in Dhaka says that Momen-Blinken had a bilateral meeting at the United States Department of State in April last year. Bilateral relations between the two countries have increased after the last meeting. After that, a series of visits of important officials of the two countries were exchanged. This meeting is important for many reasons. Because the election topic will be very important in the meeting. Dhaka may raise the election issue and send a message to Washington that the government under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to conduct transparent and acceptable elections.

State Department officials say Momen-Blinken will meet on Monday (April 10) at 1:30 p.m. Washington time. However, the officials could not give a definite message about the format of the meeting.

When asked about the discussion, an official of the ministry said that bilateral relations will be discussed. Election topic has been kept on the agenda. The government's position on the election will be highlighted. In this case, the message of transparent and acceptable elections can be given to the United States. RAB may be requested to lift the ban. More cooperation on the Rohingya issue and Bangabandhu's killer Rashed Chowdhury will be requested to be sent back to the country. How Bangladesh can work with the United States to deal with the climate crisis will be discussed.

In response to the question about what issues Washington can raise, this official said, the United States wants to increase relations with us. However, they may raise objections on some issues.

The ruling Awami League raised objections on many issues after the release of the US State Department's human rights report last month. Ministry officials declined to comment on raising the government's objections to Blinken. Another diplomatic source says that Washington will call on the Americans to support them in the international arena, including ensuring human rights, democracy, Rohingya issues, climate issues, labor rights. However, due to the recent situation in Bangladesh, the cancellation of the Digital Security Act may be requested. In addition, the accusation of extrajudicial killings against RAB in the documentary of Deutsche Welle may be raised by the US Secretary of State.

Speaking to reporters on April 5 before his visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Momen said that America is our friendly country. America is giving considerable importance to Bangladesh during the journey on the highway of development. The US Secretary of State invited me. We were very lucky because we got his invitation three times in a row.

Talking with Blinken about the election. Momen said, we want transparent and fair elections. America also wants transparent and fair elections. There is no disagreement between us. Foreign Minister Momen gave a message to talk to Blinken about increasing trade.

Foreign Minister Momen sat in a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken at the United States Department of State on the golden jubilee of Bangladesh-US diplomatic relations on April 4 last year. Finally, Momen met Blinken during the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi in early March this year. However, there was no formal or sideline meeting between the two foreign ministers.

Read More