Washington DC, 8 April ঃForeign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen met US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman yesterday (07 April 2022) at the US Department of State in Washington DC and discussed various issues related to the bilateral interests with her. At the outset of the meeting, the US Deputy Secretary of State appreciated Bangladesh for its six percent growth during the pandemic situation, robust role in UN peacekeeping, climate change actions and in the Rohingya crisis. Foreign Secretary Masud thanked the US government for providing 61 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and elaborated the government’s measures to strike balance between life and livelihood during the pandemic.

He stated that during the Foreign Minister and his visits, two sides have had very constructive talks including during the security dialogue, which is important for continuing the close relations. The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary raised the issue of sanctions on RAB, and expressed Bangladesh’s concern that this might undermine Bangladesh’s efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime.

He urged that, pending the legal procedure of delisting of the organization and individuals as well as remedial measures that have been undertaken by the government, the US may consider providing temporary waiver for RAB as an institution. In response to queries from the US side, the Foreign Secretary elaborated the context of the enactment of the Digital Security Act (DSA) to combat cybercrimes including those aimed at undermining religious harmony and victimizing women and children.

He informed that the government is working with the EU to reassess the law and identify possible loopholes. On the labour issue, in response of US queries, he explained that the government has all intentions to improve the labour situation as per the roadmaps undertaken with the ILO and the EU, and proposed that the US can also join. The Foreign Secretary emphasized that not everything can be implemented overnight, but gradual improvement is ongoing, giving example of recent ratifications of Bangladesh of relevant ILO conventions on Forced and Child labor.

Deputy Secretary Sherman appreciated Bangladesh government’s willingness to address these issues, while also stressing early implementation of the reform process, especially regarding trade union rights in private sectors.

She also discussed the democratic process in Bangladesh and  the possibility of Bangladesh’s participation in the next Democracy Summit. On this issue, the Foreign Secretary informed her about the progress like the enactment of the law on the formation of the Election Commission, and also about the recently concluded country-wide Union Parishad elections.

The two sides also discussed the situation in Ukraine and its global implications on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, and on security sector cooperation. The US Deputy Secretary of State underscored the importance of international rule-based order in the maritime domain, and both sides agreed that further works can be done together in the area of harnessing the ‘blue economy’.

Foreign Secretary Masud also discussed the possibility of highest-level visit on the occasion of the 50th year of diplomatic relations, and also on the issue of deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, from the USA.  Foreign Secretary Masud also met Julieta Valls Noyes, US Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of Population, Refugee and Migration (PRM) of the Department of State, and discussed the Rohingya issue.

Assistant Secretary Julieta Noyes, who is scheduled to visit Bangladesh soon, stated that the US really recognizes the generosity of Bangladesh of keeping the forcibly displaced Rohingyas for so long. She agreed with Foreign Secretary Masud that without creating hope of repatriation, the displaced Rohingya population in Bangladesh pose major risks of radicalization and transnational crimes.

The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary stressed that the return of the displaced Rohingyas is the best solution of the crisis. The US Assistant Secretary expressed her country’s willingness to remain deeply engaged, and emphasized the need for education, livelihood etc. of the displaced Rohingyas. Foreign Secretary Momen said that the US should participate in the humanitarian works in Bhasan Char and the Congressional embargo should be lifted.

In this regard, Assistant Secretary Julieta informed that her upcoming visit is a part of the US’s reassessment process in this regard. Foreign Secretary Masud and Assistant Secretary Julieta discussed in details the constraints and challenges of repatriation, and also on possible ways and means.

Foreign Secretary Masud also met Senior Director of the National Security Council (NSC) of the White House Sumona Guha over a lunch meeting. During the discussion, the two sides agreed that the meetings held this week in Washington DC by the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh are indeed created new impetus in the bilateral ties, and stressed the importance of regular engagements.

Foreign Secretary Masud underscored that visit at the highest level may be agreed upon on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations. He also discussed the sanctions on RAB and related individuals, and proposed whether the sanctions on RAB can be partially lifted. They also touched upon the global impact of Ukraine situation, and also on the Rohingya crisis. They also discussed the Digital Security Act, and Bangladesh’s efforts to reexamine the law. Senior Director Guha lauded Bangladesh’s keenness to engage with the US on human rights issues. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also raised the issue of the extradition of the self-confessed killer of the Father of the Nation from the USA.