US delegation meets BNP to know about democracy

Staff Reporter  :
Upon her arrival in Dhaka on Monday, Deputy Assistant Secretary from the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Mira Resnick engaged in discussions with BNP leaders, covering various topics, including the upcoming parliamentary election.

The meeting was held between BNP’s Organising Secretary and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Shama Obaed and Resnick at a restaurant in Gulshan.

The meeting occurred from 1:05 PM to 1:45 PM and included representatives from the US State Department, such as Ms. Tammy Rotez, Asia Team Lead for Regional Security and Arms Transfers, and Ms. Mary Vargas, Foreign Affairs Officer at the US State Department.

BNP sources said that they have informed the delegation related to the upcoming election and how they are being harassed by the ruling party.

They also informed that BNP wants a free and fair election under the supervision of a caretaker government because free and fair elections are not possible under the partisan government as it has been seen in the past two elections.

BNP said the visiting representatives have asked them to know about democracy, human rights and security issues.

Earlier, the US Embassy Dhaka welcomed Mira Resnick in a tweet and further mentioned what she will discuss with different representatives and the Foreign Ministry.

“The United States and Bangladesh share a vision of a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Welcome to Political-Military Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Mira Resnick, who arrived in Dhaka for the U.S.-Bangladesh Bilateral Security Dialogue.

The U.S. delegation will discuss regional developments, human rights, security assistance, and counterterrorism,” the tweet read.

Meanwhile, Mira Resnick will hold the ninth annual US-Bangladesh bilateral security dialogue with the Foreign Ministry official led by its Secretary Masud Bin Momen scheduled on Tuesday.

Representatives from both sides will engage in discussions covering a wide array of topics, including Indo-Pacific regional matters, security and human rights, military collaboration, peacekeeping efforts, security assistance, and counterterrorism efforts, among others.

This dialogue serves as a crucial component of the comprehensive security relationship between the United States and Bangladesh, as stated in a press release from the US Embassy in Bangladesh.