His visit will take the relationship to a new level and work as a bridge between the Bangladesh authorities and future US administration.
He is coming at a time when the US president election is around the corner where his predecessor Hillary Clinton is a candidate from the Democratic Party and Donald Trump from the Republican.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Mohammad Ziauddin yesterday at the Foreign Ministry said it is a big achievement that Kerry is coming to Dhaka.
He said the secretary of state visits only those countries where the US wants more engagement.
When asked what would be the dominant issue for discussion, he said security would be one of the main areas of discussion.
The whole world is facing terrorism and violent extremism problem and Washington wants to combat it with its partners like Bangladesh.
A Foreign Ministry official seeking anonymity said Bangladesh is ready to respond to US security discussion.
“We want to give a message to our US friends that Bangladesh is capable of handling our own security,” he said.
People of Bangladesh fought for their independence against one of the best armies in the world and if they could win 45 years back, they can again win against the modern day menace, he said.
The official said Bangladesh wants security cooperation but it would be in Bangladesh’s term.
“We will ask them what type of assistance we need and the government is currently assessing its needs,” he added.
Another official said Bangladesh side would like to discuss trade and development issues with the US side.
“We want duty-free quota-free market access to our products for the US market,” he said.
The US is the biggest trading partner of Bangladesh with annual trade of over $6 billion.
He said the deportation of Bangabandhu killer Rashed Chwodhury would be discussed from the Bangladesh side.
“We know that he is now in the US and we want Washington to deport him,” he added.
Schedule
John Kerry will come to Dhaka with his special aircraft at around 9:30 in the morning.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will receive him at the airport.
US Ambassador to Dhaka Marcia Bernicat last week said his programme schedule was changing every time and it was not a surprise if there was any last-minute change.
According to his latest schedule, he would pay tribute to Bangbandhu at the Road 32 Dhanmondi residence in the morning.
He would also have a courtesy call with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the PMO.
The official talks between the two foreign ministers would be held in state guest house Padma in the afternoon where Kerry would have a working lunch.
In the official talks, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali would lead the Bangladesh side and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal would also be there.
Kerry would give a speech at the EMK Centre at Dhanmondi Road 27 and before his departure in the evening, it is expected that he would meet BNP chief Khaldea Zia and leader of the opposition Roushan Ershad at the US ambassador’s residence.
He will fly to New Delhi from here.