The United States has reiterated its desire to see a free and fair election in Bangladesh, noting that the world will be observing Bangladesh's next national election.

"Of course, we're looking - the world is looking - to Bangladesh for its next election, to make sure that they set a strong example of free and fair election for the region and for the world," US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said during his meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in Washington on April 10.

Appreciating Bangladesh's engagement with the USA, Blinken said they are committed to working together to find ways to further "strengthen and deepen" the robust relationship, and to address economic development and human rights as well.

He said the US deeply appreciates Bangladesh's remarkable generosity in hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in the country and assured to continue work towards repatriation of the Rohingyas.

The Secretary of State highlighted the nearly $2.1 billion in US humanitarian assistance since 2017, which includes $23.8 million in new assistance to the World Food Programme to deliver urgent food and nutrition services to Rohingya refugees.

He reiterated US' commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth, free and fair elections, human and labor rights, and freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

Additionally, Secretary Blinken expressed concerns about violence against and intimidation of the media and civil society, including under the Digital Security Act, said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.

He underscored that free and fair elections and respect for human rights in Bangladesh are critical as they seek to deepen our bilateral relationship.

While briefing the media after the meeting, Momen said Bangladesh, like the US, also wants a free, fair and ideal election.

"Democracy is in our blood. People gave blood to uphold democracy, justice and human dignity," he said, seeking help from the US for a free and fair election.

Momen highlighted the independent Election Commission and measures taken for holding the election transparently.

The foreign minister agreed with his US counterpart on the importance of a free and fair elections and reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh government in this regard.

He said Bangladesh welcomes US observers but not any "partisan observers".

"All opposition parties must come forward to help in holding a free and fair election. We are creating an environment for a free fair election."

Momen said he handed over a letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina - addressed to US President Joe Biden - to Secretary Blinken.

"We are proud of the partnership," he said, adding that he is in Washington to strengthen and solidify the relationship.

Momen said Bangladesh wants to improve its ties with the United States towards a stronger trade relationship in the next 50 years.

"Bangladesh has a multifaceted, dynamic and wide ranging relationship with the US. Over the last 50 years we have done very well. We look forward to the next 50 years," he said.

"We achieved all with your support and active partnership and we are proud of your partnership and we look beyond, so that we can have better days in future. I am here to strengthen and solidify our relationship," Momen added.

Bangladesh raised the issue of Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who lives freely in the United States.

Momen hoped that the US will not be a shelter for killers and will hand over Rashed to Bangladesh as it wants to establish the rule of law in the country.

Blinken said the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States has grown tremendously over the last 50 years, particularly in the economic aspect.

He also mentioned people-to-people ties and said the two countries have been doing more together recently - from climate change to health.

Foreign Minister Momen called upon the United States to take advantage of the generous investment regime of Bangladesh and encourage the US private sector to invest in special economic zones and hi-tech parks in Bangladesh.

Momen thanked the US government for their generous support in combating COVID-19 pandemic and continued humanitarian support for the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.

He stressed the need for sustained international pressure on Myanmar for creating environment for voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Bangladesh and the United States have expressed their eagerness to further bolster bilateral ties for the next 50 years, building on the solid foundation of the past 50 years.

Terming Bangladesh-US relationship wide-ranging, dynamic and multifaceted, Momen hoped to develop, strengthen and solidify the ties.

He thanked President Joe Biden for his warm message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the Independence Day of Bangladesh, which the US President ended with "Joy Bangla".

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed various bilateral and other issues of mutual interest, including strengthening and diversifying economic partnership, addressing Rohingya crisis and climate change, labour rights, civil liberty, and elections.

US urged to create "safe protection zone" in Myanmar to facilitate Rohingya repatriation

Bangladesh has urged the USA to create a "safe protection zone" in Myanmar so that the Rohingyas can return to their homeland safely.

"We discussed with them (USA) for a durable solution (to the Rohingya crisis). We said our priority is their (Rohingyas) repatriation," Foreign Minister Momen told reporters in Washington.

He said the US side mentioned that the situation in Myanmar is not conducive now for the repatriation.

"We said once they (Rohingyas) go there (Myanmar), they will find the environment conducive. You (US) create a safe protection zone. The Rohingyas need to build their own future in their own country," Momen said.

In the meeting, the Foreign Minister thanked the US government for their continued humanitarian support for the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.

He stressed the need for sustained international pressure on Myanmar to create an environment for voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Secretary Blinken thanked Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees and highlighted the nearly $2.1 billion in U.S. humanitarian assistance since 2017, which includes $23.8 million in new assistance to the World Food Programme to deliver urgent food and nutrition services to Rohingya refugees.

Apprising the US secretary of state of the ongoing and completed works in labour sector reforms in Bangladesh, the foreign minister hoped that these efforts would be duly acknowledged and appreciated through stronger economic partnership between the two countries.

Blinken lauded the ongoing US-Bangladesh consultative process in improving labour situation in Bangladesh.

Momen highlighted Bangladesh's progress in terms of labour standards and urged the US side to consider Bangladesh for funding under the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

DFC is America's development finance institution and it partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today.

Digital Security Act not for restricting media freedom

Bangladesh has conveyed to the USA that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is not meant for restricting the freedom of press, noting that the government believes in freedom of press.

"We said we enacted the Digital Security Act, but it is not to curb the freedom of press. Awami League believes in freedom of press," Momen said to the US side during his meeting with the United States' Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC.

Momen mentioned the presence of a huge number of newspapers and private television channels which he described as "hyperactive".

Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran, Deputy Head of Mission Ferdousi Shahriar, Director General (North America) Khandker Masudul Alam, and officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.

Counselor Derek Chollet, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Ms. Julieta Valls Noyes, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Ms. Kara McDonald, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Afreen Akhter accompanied Secretary Blinken in the meeting.