Donald Lu coming mainly to discuss on Rohingya crisis: Foreign minister

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu's upcoming visit will focus on the Rohingya crisis, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said today (8 May).

"Look, Donald Lu is coming mainly to discuss the Rohingya crisis," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question.

Other issues will certainly come up for discussion, Hasan said.

The foreign minister, however, did not share the date of Lu's arrival in Dhaka.

The foreign minister said relations with the US remain "excellent," and the two countries are working closely to further improve the ties.

"In the future, we will continue to work closely, and the relations will be deepened," he added.

A diplomatic source last week indicated that Lu might be in Dhaka on 14 May on a two-day visit, which is seen as an opportunity to discuss ways for future cooperation.

The US Assistant Secretary is likely to discuss bilateral issues with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen apart from his courtesy meetings with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and PM's Adviser Salman F Rahman, the source told UNB.

The foreign minister said the relations between Bangladesh and the US will be further strengthened through the visit.

After the 7 January national election, the US in a statement on 8 January said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties."

In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the US President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID assistant administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, were on a three-day visit to Bangladesh.

"There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with the US delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time.

"It's a pleasure for us to talk about our shared priorities and ways for us to cooperate together in the future," Eileen Laubacher told reporters in her very brief remarks.

Bangladesh eyes halal food exports to Brunei; oil, gas from Azerbaijan

At the press conference, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud further said that Brunei has expressed interest in importing halal food from Bangladesh.

Azerbaijan has also shown interest in exporting oil and gas to Bangladesh. There has also been discussion on direct air connectivity with these countries, the minister said, adding that at present our bilateral trade with Indonesia and Malaysia is in their favour. We have to import much more from them than export. If FTAs are signed with these two countries, it will be possible to increase exports there.

In the context of the conference titled "Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation" held at Hofburg Palace in Austria, he said that the world is at the most risk after nuclear weapons due to autonomous weapons systems. A few countries have so many weapons that they can destroy the world several times with them. Every country has expressed a negative attitude towards such weapons.

Hasan Mahmud further said that there is a need for artificial intelligence in the context of developing countries like ours. For this, it has to be used in a controlled manner.

On the bilateral meeting with the Austrian foreign minister, he said that they have expressed a positive attitude towards our skilled manpower. At the same time, they expressed interest in investing in the IT sector in our country.

On the OIC summit in Gambia, he said that Bangladesh presented a strong statement on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Rohingya issue was also discussed and cooperation was sought from all. In addition, the Gambian Foreign Minister informed that the Rohingya case at the International Court of Justice is progressing as expected.

In addition, the ministers of Egypt, Gambia and Sudan expressed interest in receiving agricultural assistance from Bangladesh in ministerial meetings. There has also been progress in discussions on leasing agricultural land in Gambia.

In the context of the meeting with Deemah Al Yahya, secretary general of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Hasan Mahmud said that she wanted to visit Bangladesh's IT villages to learn about Bangladesh's ICT sector. She also expressed her desire to cooperate in increasing Bangladesh's exports in the IT sector. If that happens, it will be possible to double Bangladesh's IT exports.

Bangladesh seeks preferential trade benefits to British market until 2032

Meanwhile, UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday noon.

On the meeting, Hasan sought preferential and duty-free quota-free market access for Bangladeshi exportable, including apparels, into the British market until 2032 to support sustainable transition, reports UNB.

"Useful discussions with Bangladesh foreign minister on a wide range of mutually important policy areas – from energy transition to human rights and democracy, migration and Rohingya challenges, to LDC transition in 2026 and the future trade growth," the British Minister said after the meeting.

He apprised the British State Minister that Bangladesh has set a target of producing at least 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2041 and has started working through different projects including solar, wind, tides, waste-to-energy etc. to achieve the target.

The British minister of state expressed delight over the improved traffic condition in Dhaka and completion of mega infrastructure projects, such as metro rail, 3rd terminal of the airport and expressway etc.

She highly praised the Bangladesh community living in the UK and their entrepreneurship efforts in different sectors including in culinary business.

The British minister congratulated Bangladesh's upcoming graduation from LDC status in 2026 and assured of her government's support during and after this economic transition, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She commended Bangladesh for generously hosting the Rohingyas and affirmed continuous British political and financial support in this regard, including the recent one of 12 million pounds.

The foreign minister expressed satisfaction over expanding trade between the two countries that reached a landmark height of $6 billion last year, and thanked the UK government for its support towards Bangladesh's development efforts and being the highest FDI source for Bangladesh in 2023.

He hoped that the UK would be beside Bangladesh in its climate actions.

He underlined that the only solution to this protracted Rohingya crisis lies in the safe, sustainable and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar and requested the British state minister for their active political support in it.

The two Ministers further discussed cooperation in the areas of migration and skills development, capacity building, ease of doing business, rural development, climate and environmental challenges, green energy, aviation, defence, etc.

The foreign minister fondly recalled Bangabandhu's first historic visit to the UK on 8 January 1972 immediately after being released from the Pakistani captivity that formed the base of the friendly ties of the two countries.

'We're against border killings; it's unfortunate'

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said border killing is very unfortunate and they are in regular consultations with India to ensure that border forces don't apply any force that might cause fatalities.

"We are against border killings. We – the two countries - are working so that it does not happen. We are working in that direction. We are in regular consultations," he told reporters.

2 Bangladeshi youths shot dead by BSF near Tetulia border

The foreign minister made the remarks when a journalist wanted to know Bangladesh's position regarding recent border killings.

Two young men from Bangladesh were reportedly shot and killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday, as they allegedly tried to cross into India near Tetulia upazila in Panchagarh.

Minister Hasan said the issue of killings along the border will be discussed when Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra comes to Bangladesh.

He said India is Bangladesh's immediate neighbour and they have many issues with India. "Naturally, different issues will be discussed."

Kwarta is likely to be in Dhaka tonight as part of "high-level exchanges" between the two countries.

He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will host a lunch in honour of his Indian counterpart during his brief visit.

Speculations are rife regarding the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India within the next couple of months.

The preparatory issues may also come up for discussion during Indian FS's engagements in Dhaka, said a diplomatic source.

Though there was no official announcement from Dhaka and New Delhi regarding the visit, the Indian FS was scheduled to be in Dhaka on a brief visit on 20 April but it was postponed.

"Look, elections are underway there (in India). It (visit) was postponed because of various internal (India's) reasons," Foreign Minister Hasan told reporters when asked about the reasons behind the postponement of the visit at that time.

Diplomatic sources indicate that PM Hasina's visit to India is planned for early July, after the conclusion of the neighbouring country's election.

Pre-election surveys suggest a strong showing for the coalition led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely anticipated to secure re-election.

"Prime Minister's (Sheikh Hasina) India visit will definitely take place. However, it will take place after the election in India," FM Hasan said recently.

He said it is not yet discussed at the official level when the visit will exactly take place.

In January, Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh.

The last bilateral engagement between the two prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country.

PM Modi is expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.

The government of India in March extended Kwatra's tenure by six months.

Kwatra assumed charge as India's foreign secretary on 1 May 2022 and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988.

The press conference was also attended by some senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin.