<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The United States has reiterated its desire to see a free and fair election in Bangladesh, noting that the world will be observing Bangladesh’s next national election.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Of course, we’re looking – the world is looking – to Bangladesh for its next election, to make sure that they set a strong example of free and fair election for the region and for the world,” US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said during his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in Washington on Monday afternoon (US time).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Appreciating Bangladesh’s engagement with the USA, Blinken said they are committed to work together to find ways to further “strengthen and deepen” the robust relationship, and to address economic development and human rights as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the US deeply appreciates Bangladesh’s remarkable generosity in hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in the country.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While briefing the media after the meeting, Momen said Bangladesh, like the US, also wants a free, fair and ideal election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Democracy is in our blood. People gave blood to uphold democracy, justice and human dignity,” he said, seeking help from the US for a free and fair election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Momen highlighted the independent Election Commission and measures taken for holding the election transparently.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said Bangladesh welcomes US observers but not any “partisan observers”. “All opposition parties must come forward to help in holding a free and fair election. We are creating an environment for a free fair election.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Momen said he handed over a letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — addressed to US President Joe Biden — to Secretary Blinken.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are proud of the partnership,” he said, adding that he is in Washington to strengthen and solidify the relationship.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Momen said Bangladesh wants to improve its ties with the United States towards a stronger trade relationship in the next 50 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bangladesh has a multifaceted, dynamic and wide ranging relationship with the US. Over the last 50 years we have done very well. We look forward to the next 50 years,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We achieved all with your support and active partnership and we are proud of your partnership and we look beyond, so that we can have better days in future. I am here to strengthen and solidify our relationship,” Momen added.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh raised the issue of Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is moving freely in the United States.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Momen hoped that the US will not be a shelter for killers and will hand over Rashed to Bangladesh as it wants to establish the rule of law in the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blinken said the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States has grown tremendously over the last 50 years, particularly in the economic aspect.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also mentioned people-to-people ties and said the two countries have been doing more together recently — from climate change to health.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two sides also focused on their ongoing cooperation to deal with the climate crisis, meet the needs of Rohingyas and their safe return to Myanmar, and promote regional security through UN peacekeeping operations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On April 4 last year, Blinken met with Momen to celebrate and reflect on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US relations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They discussed the "tremendous economic potential" of the relationship and reflected on the ways the two countries collaborated over the last half century – including in growing people-to-people ties with vibrant Fulbright exchanges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While talking to reporters last Wednesday in Dhaka, Momen said: "I'd say we're lucky because the American secretary of state doesn't give invitations frequently. We got three in a row. America is paying much attention to our journey on the highway of development." UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>