Bangladesh
USA-Bangladesh Bangladesh seeks US help in Rohingya repatriation
Dhaka, October 15: Bangladesh has sought assistance from the United States of America for the speedy repatriation of Rohingya community. On Wednesday (October 14) night, US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Shahriar Alam. The assistance was sought at a bilateral meeting. After the meeting, Shahriar Alam said, "The United States wants neighboring countries to be more involved in resolving this issue."
Regarding the joint response program on Rohingya organized by the United States on October 22, the state minister said, "Naturally, Bangladesh will participate in it. However, we have said that we do not want to go into a long-term plan with the Rohingya. Our main goal is to send back the Rohingyas."
"The United States has reminded us that they are imposing various sanctions," he said. "They are waiting until the November 8 election in Myanmar. After that, the US government will re-contact the country on crimes against humanity and repatriation."
The state minister said there was no specific discussion on Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). But there is no question of joining Indo-Pacific.
Shahriar Alam said that there are many more initiatives like IPS in the United States and Bangladesh never considers them as conflicting.
In this regard, he said, "Bangladesh also expects a peaceful Indo-Pacific. I have informed the United States of this and they are satisfied."
Many, including Bangladeshi students, are not getting US visas. The state minister said they were trying to resolve the visa issue.
On the Covid-19 vaccine, he said, "If the United States can get it out first, the US State Department will help Bangladesh buy the vaccine."
The United States is reluctant to assist Bangladesh under the Build Act, and the United States has encouraged the creation of a free zone, given the size of Bangladesh's economy and other factors, Shahriar Alam said.
