Staff Correspondent :
Two senior officials from the United States Department of State are set to arrive in Dhaka this week for a series of high-level meetings expected to cover a wide array of pressing issues – including the protracted Rohingya crisis, regional security dynamics, shifting geopolitical alignments, and the evolving trajectory of US-Bangladesh relations.
According to diplomatic sources, Nicole Elkon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Professional and Cultural Exchanges at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is scheduled to arrive in the capital on 16 April. She will be followed on 17 April by Andreu Herrup, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Both officials are due to depart Bangladesh on 19 April.
The Acting US Ambassador to Myanmar is also expected to join the delegation, highlighting Washington’s growing concern regarding the situation in Myanmar and its wider regional implications.
Although an official itinerary has not been released, multiple sources have indicated that the ongoing Rohingya crisis will feature prominently in the discussions, with a focus on its security and humanitarian consequences. Bangladesh currently hosts over one million Rohingya refugees, the majority of whom fled military persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
“Bangladesh has played a pivotal role in maintaining regional stability by providing shelter to the Rohingya population,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “However, the United States remains the principal donor supporting their basic needs, and that funding has been declining steadily.”
The official referred to Washington’s recent contribution of $73 million in humanitarian aid via the UN World Food Programme but voiced concern over the sustainability of future support. “Any further reduction in US assistance could have direct repercussions for regional stability. This is an issue that warrants serious discussion.”
The visit comes at a time of heightened US interest in Bangladesh’s strengthening ties with China. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s recent state visit to Beijing was described by the interim government as “historic,” laying the groundwork for the next five decades of bilateral cooperation.
Washington is understood to have sought informal clarification regarding the nature and strategic implications of Dhaka’s engagement with Beijing, particularly against the backdrop of the broader geopolitical contest between the US and China in South Asia.
“They expressed interest in understanding the scope and direction of our relationship with China,” a government source said. “We offered context and outlined the potential areas of collaboration.”
Analysts suggest that such inquiries reflect broader US concerns over China’s expanding influence in the region, where the United States has been actively pursuing a policy of strategic balancing.
In addition to geopolitical considerations, the issue of undocumented Bangladeshi migrants in the United States is also expected to be on the agenda. Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the matter has gained momentum. To date, 10 to 12 Bangladeshis have been repatriated following court orders, with the Bangladeshi embassy in Washington providing the necessary travel documents.
“We are cooperating fully with the United States on this front,” said a Foreign Ministry official. “One undocumented migrant has the potential to jeopardise the prospects of several legal migrants, which is why we act swiftly on such matters.”
Trade relations are also anticipated to feature prominently in the dialogue. Dhaka is expected to raise concerns over the 37 per cent tariff currently levied on Bangladeshi exports to the US market, which officials believe poses a significant challenge to bilateral trade growth. As a counterbalancing proposal, Bangladesh may suggest increasing imports from the United States.
“We are keen to deepen our economic partnership,” a senior trade official stated. “We are prepared to foster a conducive environment to that end. Some steps are already underway, while others will depend on the outcomes of these upcoming discussions.”
