<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The United States says it is looking forward to “deepening” its relationship with Bangladesh in a number of areas – addressing energy, climate issues and economy.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“That being said, we also will continue to push for the freedom of expression of religion and faiths of all people around the world,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a regular briefing at the US Department of State on June 5.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Responding to a question on the recently held Gazipur City Corporation election, he said, “I’m not going to speak or get into specific election results in another country.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“What I will just say is what you just heard me say to your colleague, is that we are committed to the promotion of democracy and free and fair elections around the world,” Patel said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The government, political parties, civil society, and the media in Bangladesh have all expressed their desire that the upcoming national election be free, fair, and peaceful, Patel said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In support of free, fair and peaceful election, the US announced a new policy that allows them to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals, including current or former officials, pro-government or opposition political party members, and others believed to be responsible for or complicit in “undermining the democratic election process” in Bangladesh, Patel said. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>