Last Updated:
Marco Rubio and Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus discussed shared goals of economic growth and Indo-Pacific stability during a phone call.
Marco Rubio/Muhammad Yunus (File photos: AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephonic conversation with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to enhancing economic and security cooperation between the two nations.
During the call, Rubio and Yunus focused on strengthening economic ties between Bangladesh and the US, and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region, it was known.
In a statement, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, Dr Muhammad Yunus.”
“The Secretary and Chief Advisor affirmed their shared commitment to deepening economic ties between the United States and Bangladesh and to enhancing security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
On June 28, Muhammad Yunus’ aide had said the next general elections in Bangladesh will be the “most credible and peaceful” in the country’s history.
He had also asserted that the interim government had taken all necessary measures to ensure free and fair polls.
General elections in Bangladesh are scheduled for the first half of April next year, the chief adviser announced last month.
Asserting that the polls will take place in a festive and peaceful environment, Alam said, “The upcoming national election will be the most credible and peaceful one in the country’s history.”
He said that the primary goal of the mass uprising in July 2024, which ousted the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime, was to restore democracy in Bangladesh and added that the interim government has taken all necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections.
Deposed Prime Minister Hasina fled to India when her regime was toppled on August 5 last year in a massive student-led protest.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman had met US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the State Department in Washington, as per a statement from the Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.
“They discussed the Rohingya issue, ongoing tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the US, developments in South Asia, and the democratic transition in Bangladesh,” the statement read.
“Deputy Secretary of State lauded the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a critical juncture for Bangladesh and reiterated continued US support for Bangladesh,” it added.
“Dr Rahman separately met Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch and had fruitful discussions on the agreement between the two countries on reciprocal tariffs,” the statement mentioned.
ALSO READ | ‘Return To Work At Once’: Yunus Orders Bangladesh’s Tax, Customs Workers To End Strikes
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
- First Published: