Staff correspondent :

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today told visiting US congressmen Ed Case and Richard McCormick that Bangladesh’s upcoming general election would be held as per the existing rules.

“There is no scope of reaching any consensus with them (BNP) as they want the government to step down” he told the congressmen as they wanted to know whether there is any way to reach consensus with political parties regarding the next general election.

The foreign minister told reporters after a meeting held at the State Guest House Padma in the capital.

Momen said he asked Congressmen whether the US government would step down prior to election there.

He said there is a need for sincere efforts from all political parties to hold a free and fair election.

The foreign minister reiterated that the government is committed to hold a free as well as fair election and people will choose their leaders.

Momen said they also discussed the Rohingya crisis during the meeting where Bangladesh briefly talked about its Indo-Pacific outlook that seeks a free, fair, inclusive and secure region.

He said Dhaka welcomes frequent visits from the US which will help build stronger communication between the two sides and let them know facts instead of depending on propaganda and fake news.

Congressman McCormick is representing the Republican Party from Georgia while Case is from the Democratic Party, Hawaii.

Meanwhile, a foreign ministry’s press release said the foreign minister held fruitful discussions with the US Congressmen on Bangladesh-US partnership on various areas, including trade and economy, Rohingya response, global health, climate change and upcoming general elections of Bangladesh.

Describing Bangladesh-US relations as warm, dynamic, multifaceted and forward-looking, the Foreign Minister said the bilateral relations should be deepened and broadened as Bangladesh economy continues to grow rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He expressed hope that the US investment in Bangladesh will expand and diversify as Bangladesh offers potential in many areas, including ICT, pharmaceuticals, and steel.

He also sought US congressional support for duty-free access of Bangladesh’s textile and garments products made of US cotton.

The US delegation expressed their keenness to look into the partnership in pharmaceuticals, among others.

The delegation praised Bangladesh for generous hosting of over 1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas. The meeting discussed the way forward in the context of gradual decline in the aid for Rohingya.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the US Government for its humanitarian support for the Rohingyas and stressed on the importance of working together for achieving the ultimate goal of repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland.

Members of Parliament Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Mohammad Ali Arafat were present in the meeting and contributed to the discussions.

Director General (North America) Khandker Masudul Alam and other Foreign Ministry officials were also present.

The US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and other US officials accompanied the congressional delegation.

The US delegation commenced their 3-day Bangladesh visit this morning by paying floral tribute at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mural at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum here.

Both Congressmen were accompanied by their spouses at that time.

Referring to the visit as moving, the Congressmen said that it was indeed a great tragedy for Bangladesh to lose such a personality and that too so early.

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