Dhaka eyes talks on visa policy, sanctions removal during Donald Lu’s visit

During a press briefing on Monday, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud highlighted potential topics for discussion during the upcoming visit of Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, to Dhaka.

"Issues related to visa policy and Dhaka’s call for withdrawal of sanctions may naturally come up," Minister Mahmud responded to a query regarding Bangladesh‍‍`s agenda for the meeting.

Lu‍‍`s visit to Bangladesh is part of his regional tour, having already visited India and Sri Lanka. According to the US Department of State, Lu‍‍`s agenda includes meetings with government officials, civil society leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss various aspects of Bangladesh-US cooperation. Key topics on the table will include addressing climate change and bolstering economic ties between the two nations.

Minister Mahmud emphasized Bangladesh‍‍`s commitment to maintaining excellent relations with the United States and expressed optimism about advancing their partnership further. "Whoever visits Bangladesh from the US administration, we will work together to advance our relationship," he stated during the briefing.

The Minister also referenced previous engagements between Bangladesh and the US, noting a statement released by the US following Bangladesh‍‍`s January 7 national election. The statement reaffirmed the US commitment to partnering with Bangladesh to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, support human rights and civil society, and enhance people-to-people and economic ties.

Earlier this year in February, Bangladesh welcomed a delegation from the US, including Eileen Laubacher from the US National Security Council, Michael Schiffer from USAID, and Afreen Akhter from the US Department of State. Minister Mahmud expressed optimism about the willingness from both sides to create a new chapter in bilateral relations during discussions with the delegation.

As Donald Lu prepares for his visit to Dhaka, both Bangladesh and the United States are poised to deepen their cooperation across various sectors, underscoring the mutual commitment to strengthening ties and fostering shared prosperity.