A high-level delegation from the United States (US) met with Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, April 17, 2025 (BSS) – The visiting high-level delegation from the United States (US) today held talks with the top brass of the Bangladesh’s interim government focusing on the country’s ongoing reform initiatives, the upcoming national election, and the protracted Rohingya crisis.

The discussion took place at the foreign ministry here when US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Nicole Ann Chulick and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Andrew R. Herrup met Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin said, “We discussed various aspects of our bilateral relationship, including the interim government’s reform measures and preparations for the next general elections.”

He said the Rohingya issue featured prominently in the meetings, with both sides reaffirming the urgency of ensuring safe and voluntary repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals currently sheltered in Bangladesh.

“We urged the US to continue its political and humanitarian support to resolve the Rohingya crisis. The upcoming high-level UN conference on the Rohingya issue, scheduled to take place in New York this September, was also discussed,” Jashim added.

The foreign secretary said Dhaka also urged the US side to reconsider the possibility of resuming USAID operations in Bangladesh.

On the economic front, Dhaka raised concerns over recent US tariff hikes on Bangladeshi exports. “We called for reconsideration of the increased tariffs and discussed how we can work together to narrow the existing trade imbalance between the two countries,” Jashim said.

The US delegation also met National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman here today.

In an hour-long meeting, they discussed major regional issues of peace and security and key aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and US, Chief Adviser’s press wing sources said.

They also discussed Rohingya issue and the situation in Myanmar at length, it added.