Politics
Prof Yunus-Biden meeting to help take Dhaka-Washington ties to new level: Press Secretary
US President Joe Biden has expressed his government's "full support" to Bangladesh and Prof Muhammad Yunus-led Interim Government of Bangladesh during his rare one-to-one bilateral meeting with the Bangladesh Chief Adviser on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus held the meeting with the US President on Tuesday morning (NY Time) which is seen as a "rare occasion" and will help take the existing good relations to a new level between the two countries.
President Biden congratulated him on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government.
Both leaders affirmed the close partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties, said the White House.
President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued U.S. support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda.
During the meeting, Prof Yunus apprised him about how the students rose against the tyranny of the previous government and gave their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus stressed that his government must succeed in rebuilding the country and would need US cooperation.
President Biden said if the students could do so much sacrifice for their country, they too should do more, according to Chief Adviser's press wing.
Prof Yunus handed over a copy of the Art of Triumph, a book on wall paintings drawn by the students and young students during the revolution, to President Biden during the meeting.
The meeting with the US President reflects growing relations between the two countries, Bangladesh said.
"This is an important day. It is very rare (to see such a meeting) at the UNGA," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.
This is the first time in the history of Bangladesh that a US President has met the head of the Bangladesh government on the sidelines UNGA.
Alam said Bangladesh in any case maintains very good relations with the US and with this meeting the relationship will reach a new level.
"It's a good news that the US stands beside Bangladesh in this period of transition," he added.
Bangladesh and the US are working on a number of issues closely including labour sector reforms and the Rohingya crisis.
It is very significant as no US president has held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades in New York, a senior official told UNB.
Although that gives them little time to discuss anything in depth, there is tremendous messaging and symbolism associated with it.
By having this meeting at all, Washington is signaling not just bilaterally or regionally, but to the world at large that it is standing by Bangladesh during the period of upheaval it is going through.
It is not usual for a US President to hold bilateral meetings during the UNGA and Dhaka hopes to see a new strategic partnership emerge out of this meeting that will strengthen the ties with the US on all fronts.
Biden is visiting New York City to participate in the 79th session of the UNGA.
In addition to addressing the General Assembly on September 24, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden's trip to New York City.
The US has already affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US said it stands ready to support those efforts.
This is Prof Yunus's first visit to the United States as a head of government, where he will attend the 79th UNGA. Coincidentally, it is also his first visit abroad since the formation of the interim government on August 8.
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