Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently visited Washington, where she engaged in discussions with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and met with various other senior officials from the Biden administration. The White House emphasized the importance of enhancing the bilateral relationship between the two countries during her meeting with Jake Sullivan. Last month, Sheikh Hasina also had a productive pull-aside meeting with President Joe Biden during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, stated that their discussions covered a wide range of issues, including climate change, underlining the significance of these meetings, especially in light of the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh. Kirby mentioned that they also addressed the importance of ensuring free and fair elections.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller further emphasized the United States' support for the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people, which include holding peaceful, free, and fair elections. He highlighted that both the government and various stakeholders in Bangladesh share the desire for such elections. Miller clarified that the US visa restriction policy aligns with these objectives, as it aims to facilitate the people of Bangladesh in freely selecting their leaders. He made it clear that the United States neither favors any specific political party nor seeks to influence the election outcome; rather, their goal is to ensure that the people of Bangladesh can exercise their right to choose their leaders without interference.
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