Bangladesh is hosting a high-level US diplomat, asking for help in completing post-Hasina reforms

This photo provided by the Bangladesh Press Information Department (PID) shows Brent Neiman, US Assistant Treasury Secretary for Finance and International Development, left, speaking with Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 15. 2024. | Photo Credit: AP

Bangladesh on Sunday (September 15, 2024) asked for help from the United States to implement the reform agenda of the interim government. Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammed Yunus delivered the terms of the interim government to a multi-agency delegation led by US Assistant Treasury Secretary for Finance and International Development Brent Neiman and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Bureau Donald Lu.

Mr. Yunus briefed the visiting US delegation on the prevailing scenario in Bangladesh since the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina collapsed following protests sparked by student uprisings. He said that the interim government has created six commissions to reform various parts of the Bangladesh state such as judiciary, police, election commission and constitution, besides launching an anti-corruption team. The visit was closely watched as it was the first high-level delegation from the US to visit Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina, who was known to be critical of the US administration.

“We are drowning in an ocean of corruption,” Mr. Yunus told US officials according to a reading published by BSS, a Bangladeshi state news outlet. The hour-long meeting also covered labor unrest in the country that has led to the closure of many garment factories in Bangladesh, the Rohingya crisis and Mr Yunus’ visit to New York.

A multi-agency team from the US has stopped in New Delhi for bilateral consultations before reaching Dhaka on Saturday. The visit to India by the Donald Lu-Brent Neiman delegation prompted some commentators to signal that the US may be aware of India’s concerns following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. This background led the famous Bangladesh observer Jon Danilowicz to say in an article on Dhaka Tribune“It will be important for the US side to reassure their Bangladeshi counterparts that they are not singing from someone else’s sheet music.” The interim government has been critical of Sheikh Hasina who lives in India where she fled after losing power.

The main result of the visit was the signing of a deal between USAID and Bangladesh that will give way to a $200 million grant to Dhaka. “@USAID signed a $200 million agreement with the interim government of Bangladesh to advance development, empower youth, strengthen democracy and governance, improve health and expand trade and economic opportunities for people across the country,” USAID Bangladesh said in a statement after the agreement.

The agreement was signed by Financial Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin told reporters and said that the discussion with the US delegation covered all issues that fall under the domain of “bilateral relations”, indicating India-Bangladesh relations were not in the talks. Responding to a question about a possible meeting between Mr Yunus and US President Joe Biden in New York, Foreign Minister Md Jashim Uddin said that a bilateral meeting was not on the cards yet but indicated that interaction was possible due to a planned social event. on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly.

The interim government led by Mr. Yunus took charge on August 7 and has been focusing on the law and order situation which is now experiencing increasing challenges. Apart from reports of attacks on Awami League activists, violence has also targeted Islamic Sufi shrines.