DHAKA, Nov 14, 2024 (BSS) - British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific at the United Kingdom's Foreign Office Catherine West will visit Bangladesh from November 16-17.

"One of the main objectives of her visit is to strengthen ties between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom through enhanced economic, strategic, and migration partnerships," said Toufique Hasan, Director General of the Foreign Ministry's Public Diplomacy Wing, during a weekly briefing at the ministry today.

During the visit, Hasan said the British under-secretary is expected to hold courtesy meetings with the Chief Adviser and the Foreign Affairs Adviser. 

This will be her first visit to Bangladesh since taking on the role of state minister for Indo-Pacific Affairs at the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in July.

Catherine West was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 9 July 2024. 

Catherine oversees matters related to Britain's interests directly with China, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. 

She is also responsible for monitoring economic security in the Indian Ocean region, especially regarding export controls, economic diplomacy, and the expansion and use of technology.

Since 2015, she has been the Labour MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet.