Bangladesh elections set for early next year, Yunus to Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a telephone conversation with Bangladesh’s chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday.
During their conversation, the two leaders addressed a range of shared interests. Key topics included Bangladesh's ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, current reform initiatives, the transition towards democracy, the upcoming general election, and humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees.
chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam said that, Rubio voiced his support for Bangladesh's reform agenda and its intention to conduct elections in the early part of next year. Both leaders acknowledged the United States as Bangladesh's primary export market and leading source of remittances. They expressed optimism that discussions on tariffs would soon conclude, thereby fostering an increase in bilateral trade.
Professor Yunus highlighted a recent positive meeting in Washington D.C. between his national security adviser and Deputy Secretary of State Landau, reiterating Bangladesh's commitment to fortifying bilateral ties. Chief Adviser Yunus also extended his gratitude to President Trump for acceding to his request to temporarily suspend reciprocal tariff measures on Bangladesh for 90 days. He stated, "We are collaborating with your officials to finalize a set of measures designed to effectively respond to President Trump's trade agenda."
Seeking American backing for Bangladesh's democratic transition, the Chief Adviser confirmed that elections are slated for "the early part of next year." He further emphasized that the ongoing dialogue between the government and political parties is expected to lead to crucial reforms within the country's political system.
The Chief Adviser also praised Washington for its sustained and generous contributions to Rohingya refugees, noting that the US has been the top donor to the Rohingya humanitarian response efforts since 2017. Professor Yunus expressed optimism regarding the refugee situation, remarking, "The prospect for a viable solution and repatriation of Rohingyas back to Myanmar is now better than ever before, and Bangladesh is actively working on that."
Finally, the two leaders also touched upon broader geopolitical matters, including the importance of a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, as well as Bangladesh's relationships with its neighboring countries.
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