Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 37
US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R Verma has said it is for the people of Bangladesh to decide when a new election will be held and how long the interim government will stay.
“That is for the people of Bangladesh to decide how and when they are going to hold a new election and how long the transitional (interim) government will be in place,” he said while responding to a question at an event at Hudson Institute in Washington DC on Monday. The top US diplomat said it is a bit too early to tell in which direction things are headed and said the reason the US team visited Dhaka was to pledge their support for a “peaceful” democratic process and transition. “I think that is the most important thing right now.”
Verma said their team just returned which made additional commitments in humanitarian aid and support for the people on the ground at this very difficult period. “I think the most important thing is to try to support democratic, peaceful, lawful transition,” he said, adding that that is where everyone’s interest remains. Regarding concerns about attacks on minorities, the US diplomat said any attack on any civilian is concerning. “I think we have to take those quite seriously.”
Verma delivered remarks at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC and discussed milestones achieved in the US-India relationship since 2000 and chart a pathway forward for strengthening our bilateral ties. After delivering remarks, Deputy Secretary Verma participated in an open conversation with Dr Aparna Pande, Research Fellow on India and South Asia at the Hudson Institute.
From 2021-2026, USAID has committed nearly $1 billion to help improve the lives of the Bangladeshi people, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday.
Source & photo: UNB
