Says Biswal before leaving Dhaka
Terming her visit important, Biswal said, “Concluding an important visit to Bangladesh. I conveyed support & solidarity of United States to stand w Bangladesh in combatting terrorism.”
During her meetings with government leaders, including the prime minister, home minister, foreign minister and two advisers to the PM, she offered “US expertise in building Bangladesh’s counterterrorism capabilities.”
In her meetings, the US diplomat elaborated on future cooperation between the two countries, including sharing of intelligence information, providing training to enhance the capabilities of Bangladesh law enforcement to defeat those who will seek to drive terror in the society.
Prior to her departure from Dhaka, Biswal had an informal meeting with six leading newspapers and TV editors in Dhaka.
The US assistant secretary also had three separate meetings with envoys of top countries stationed in Dhaka.
On the eve of her departure, she tweeted, “Met w diplomatic community and business leaders who are concerned but committed to stand w Bangladesh.”
On the first day of her visit, Biswal had an exclusive meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla and discussed on current security situation in Bangladesh.
After the meeting, an Indian diplomat told The Daily Star, “It was a very good meeting and both the countries are keen to support the government of Bangladesh in its fight against terrorism. So our objectives coincide.”
“We believe the international community needs to come together in this common endeavour,” he added.
On Monday morning, Biswal met with envoys of the UK, Canada and Australia and exchanged views with them on Bangladesh situation and how the international community could support Bangladesh in curbing terrorism.
The assistant secretary also had dinner with envoys of top countries stationed in Dhaka on Monday evening when she shared some of her experience she gathered from this visit.
The US delegation has felt Bangladesh government leaders and officials showed more open-minded attitude in the international cooperation, said an ambassador who attended Monday’s dinner hosted by Biswal.
On July 3, US Secretary of State John Kerry phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on behalf of President Barack Obama to offer US support in the wake of outrageous attack on the cafe in Gulshan.
Kerry offered immediate assistance from US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, in the investigation with the highest international standards.
Source: The Daily Star
