<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the goals set out for the Indo-Pacific region are not much different from Bangladesh’s, but the only concern is about its defence aspect, if any.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;“Only thing we are afraid of — if it is designed for a defence pact, because we are a peace-loving country. We don’t have any intention (to fight against anyone). We would like to see development in the whole region. We want security (in the region) but no defence pact,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Momen made the remarks while responding to a question during a conversation on economic diplomacy with a focus on growth and development.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Onero Institute partnered with the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center for the session held at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University this week.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The dialogue was moderated by the senior director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, Irfan Nooruddin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister said Bangladesh does not have any disagreements on the issue and it also wants open, free, secure and freely navigable Indo-Pacific under the international laws.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said Bangladesh wants economic development in the whole Indo-Pacific region and finds many things in common with the goals set up. “We don’t have much difference. We believe the next century is for Asia and the Indo-Pacific provides an opportunity and potential.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Responding to a question on India-US-China, Momen said the US and China have their own tensions. “The US is our old friend while we have rock-solid relations with India. China became our development partner as they have money,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the western countries including the US “do not come up with money but they come up with advice except for some exceptions.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are very prudent in accepting loans from China. We signed agreements on a big amount but we took a very small amount. It can’t influence our policies,” Momen said while responding to another question.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister said Bangladesh is a “hub of connectivity” and maintains very good relations with all its neighbours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We have resolved all critical issues with India peacefully through dialogue and discussion,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Though Myanmar is a difficult case, we don’t have any quarrel with them. We have only one difficult problem (Rohingyas),” Momen added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He highlighted issues related to emerging Bangladesh, its socioeconomic achievements, economic partnership and prospects with the USA, economic and public diplomacy, regional development and navigating relations with major powers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said regional peace and stability are essential for development and those countries developed where there is peace and stability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“For example, Singapore. It is peace and stability that has made Singapore an attraction for the whole of Asia,” Momen said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to see development in the whole region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“If we develop together, we can go much further. To make our achievements sustainable, we need regional development,” Momen said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said Bangladesh is a land of opportunity and any country can invest in Bangladesh. “If we work together, we will achieve a lot.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On climate issues, Momen said Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries on the climate front and sought cooperation and collaboration to address the common challenges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Climate issue is a global issue. We all have to work together in partnership and collaboration to save this planet for our future generation. There has to be a political commitment,” he said, highlighting the initiatives that Bangladesh has taken on the adaptation front.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister said they are lucky that they have a remarkably dynamic and pragmatic leader like Sheikh Hasina who brought development miracles with her commitment despite many challenges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">IRI Officials Keen to Observe Bangladesh Polls</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, Foreign Minister Momen joined a meeting as the chief guest at the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Washington DC.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the meeting, he talked about Bangladesh’s political landscape, its electoral process and preparedness for a free, fair and participatory general election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">IRI officials expressed their interest to observe the general election which was cordially welcomed by the foreign minister. President of the Institute Daniel Twining moderated the event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran, Director General (North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khandker Masudul Alam and officials of Bangladesh Embassy were present at the two events.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Foreign Minister Momen also visited Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) in Virginia founded by a Bangladeshi entrepreneur.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He delivered a speech as the chief guest at a discussion session organised by the university authorities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister highly praised the authorities for establishing such a higher educational institution in the USA and wished for its overall success.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">President of the University Hasan Karaburk and Chancellor and founder Engineer Abubokor Hanip, among others, spoke at the event, while faculty members and students of the university and officials of Bangladesh Embassy were present on the occasion. 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