United News of Bangladesh

The United States has appreciated Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus' vision of looking at the Rohingya issue not in isolation but in the context of Myanmar as a whole. The US also expressed deep appreciation for the generosity of Bangladesh by hosting 1.2 million Rohingyas and thanked the leadership of Dr Yunus for making progress on this issue. "We appreciate your vision of looking at the Rohingya issue not in isolation but in the context of Myanmar as a whole," US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) Nicole Ann Chulick told Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Thursday. The visiting US delegation called on the Chief Adviser at his official residence state guesthouse Jamuna and expressed support for the reform agenda of the Interim Government. Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Andrew R Herrup was also part of the US delegation. Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the head of US mission in Dhaka Tracey Ann Jacobson were present at the meeting. They also discussed regional issues of peace, security, and development, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. The Chief Adviser termed the recent identification by Myanmar government of 180,000 Rohingyas as fit for return to Rakhine as an important progress. The US officials also appreciated the Chief Adviser’s approach to enhance regional cooperation, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. Dr Yunus underlined the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the commitment of the interim government to work closely with the Trump administration on the entire range of bilateral relations. He thanked the US President Donald J. Trump for resuming aid for the Rohingyas and ninety-day pause in the application of reciprocal tariffs. "We are continuing our work to support his trade agenda," Dr Yunus said. Regional Peace, Security The visiting US delegation also met with National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Thursday. In an hour-long meeting, they discussed major regional issues of peace and security and key aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and US. They also discussed the Rohingya issue and the situation in Myanmar at length. The US delegation expressed appreciation for the approach of Bangladesh to address the issue.

Congratulating the people of Bangladesh, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to working together to make both the nations "safer, stronger, and more prosperous." "The United States supports Bangladesh in its journey toward a bright and democratic future. We look forward to continuing our partnership promoting economic development and regional security in the Indo-Pacific," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. On behalf of the United States of America, US Secretary of State Rubio congratulated the people of Bangladesh as they celebrate their Independence Day on March 26. This celebration comes at a pivotal point in Bangladesh’s history, as the interim government prepares the nation for elections that will allow the people of Bangladesh to choose the path forward for their nation, he said. As Bangladesh marks this special occasion, the US Secretary of State extended his warm regards to its people and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working together. Dhaka-Beijing relations to be deepened further: Dr Yunus Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in a message earlier, said achieving independence was the final stage of a long struggle to protect the dignity and existence and to gain the rights. "The bloody War of Independence, through which Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in the world, officially began on this day," Dr Yunus said. He remembered with reverence the valiant martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Independence, whose supreme sacrifices brought the desired freedom. Dr Yunus extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to all Bangladeshis living in the country and abroad. The Chief Adviser said the interim government is fully committed to further developing and strengthening the country and delivering the full benefits of independence to the people. Bangladesh, China to sign key deals as Dr Yunus to meet Xi in Beijing on March 28 "We are working to establish good governance and justice to ensure people-orientated and sustainable development, and ensure transparency and accountability through necessary reforms in all spheres of the state," he said in his message on the occasion of the great Independence and National Day. "On this auspicious occasion of Independence Day and National Day, let us take the oath to work for the development, peace and prosperity of the country, keeping in mind the spirit of the great liberation war.”

The United States (US) has welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh, noting that they “condemn” any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country. “That’s what we’re watching. That’s what we expect. And that will be what continues,” said US State Department’s Spokesperson Tammy Bruce while responding to a question at a regular media briefing in Washington on March 19 when a questioner referred to US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard’s recent remarks. Reacting to remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, the interim government on Monday said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability and progress. Australia to issue visas for Bangladeshis from Dhaka In a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the government said Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of “Islamist caliphate”. The government noted with deep concern and distress the remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate." This statement, the interim government said, is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism. "Gabbard's comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush," said the government in its statement. Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts, the government said.

The interim government has said they look forward to continuing to work with the United States and Bangladesh’s other friends and allies to combat efforts to manipulate the Trump administration and create divisions between countries through purely invented propaganda. "The Interim Government has complete confidence that President Trump and his team will see through this transparent effort to create friction between Bangladesh and the United States," said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Thursday. The US Department of State and its embassy in Dhaka are well aware that Professor Yunus meets with a wide variety of people, from senior government officials to leaders in business and civil society organisations, including those who are critical of Bangladesh itself, said its fact-checking wing. Kosovo’s new ambassador emphasizes advancing bilateral cooperation in first official meeting with Foreign Adviser The Organiser, a weekly in India, has launched "another salvo in the ongoing campaign of many Indian nationalists" to discredit Bangladesh’s interim government and pave the way for India’s proxy, Sheikh Hasina, to resume her despotic rule over Bangladesh, said the fact-checkers of the press wing. The Organiser’s latest canard is that the meeting between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus and Alex Soros, president of the Open Society Foundation, constituted a challenge to President Trump, said the press wing of the CA.