Diplomatic Correspondent :
The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has reportedly restored “warm” relations with the United States after a period of tension during the later years of Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain confirmed that tensions had existed between the two nations under the previous government, but the interim government has successfully addressed these issues.
When asked by journalists what the interim government had done over the past two months to improve relations with Washington, Hossain acknowledged the previous tension and stated, “This was a well-known fact that cannot be denied. I believe that
issue has been resolved.”
He emphasized that the government’s policy is to maintain good relations with all countries, adding, “There was unnecessary tension with the United States, which I consider to have been a deviation. I think we have managed to reconnect.”
Relations between Bangladesh and the United States are believed to have improved significantly following a rare meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month.
During the meeting, President Biden expressed full support and cooperation for Bangladesh and the Yunus-led interim government.
Biden also remarked that if students can make sacrifices for their country, then the government must also do more.
Following the meeting, US companies expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh to support its development.
On September 22, the US Embassy in Dhaka announced that American companies are eager to invest in five sectors: IT, education, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure. Currently, US investment in Bangladesh amounts to approximately $4 billion, with expectations of increased investment in the coming years as bilateral relations improve.
Relations between Bangladesh and the United States had reached a low point during Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
The tension was most evident when Bangladesh was excluded from President Biden’s Democracy Summit, which took place in two phases.
Former Foreign Minister Abdul Momen had initially stated that Bangladesh would be invited to the second phase, arguing that the country’s democracy was “stable” and that the Summit had invited “weak democracies.”
Despite these claims, Bangladesh was again left out of the second phase of the Summit.
In February 2023, a US State Department official commented that the erosion of democracy in Bangladesh would lead to a reduction in US cooperation.
The official explained that Bangladesh’s decision not to develop a concrete plan for strengthening democracy resulted in its exclusion from the Democracy Summit.
Throughout the later years of the Awami League government, the United States repeatedly urged Bangladesh to strengthen its democratic institutions and allow political parties greater freedom.
Washington criticized the Awami League for its repressive measures against the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its prevention of peaceful political activities.
The US State Department also condemned the suppression of dissenting voices, describing the situation as “democratic backsliding.”
In an effort to restore democracy, the US government imposed visa restrictions on individuals who undermined the electoral process during the lead-up to Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary elections.
The US government also urged the Awami League and the BNP to engage in dialogue to address the political deadlock, with US Ambassador Peter Haas acting as a mediator.
However, the Awami League rejected these efforts and refused to sit down with the BNP.
As the 12th parliamentary elections approached, Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu sent letters to Bangladesh’s major political parties, urging them to engage in dialogue.
However, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader declined, citing the proximity of the elections.
The Awami League ultimately won another term in office, but US envoy Peter Haas, now a strategic adviser to Excelerate Energy, was notably absent from Bangladesh on Election Day.