Kerry: Bangladesh has extraordinary development story

US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday praised Bangladesh saying that it had an extraordinary development story. “Bangladesh has an extraordinary development story,” he tweeted expressing his satisfaction over his meeting with Sheikh Hasina. Kerry started his visit by paying respect to Father of the Nation and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city. He also delivered a speech for civil society members and youngsters at the EMK Center in Dhanmondi. Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushan Ershad and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia met him separately. He had a meeting at the US Embassy here, too. US Secretary of State John Kerry left here for New Delhi yesterday evening wrapping up his hectic nine-hour visit that covered a series of meetings with Bangladesh leadership and opposition leaders. State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam saw him off at the airport, said an official. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Mohammad Ziauddin and US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat were also present at the airport. Before leaving Dhaka, he had meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and had “important discussions on security issues, strong support in fighting against terrorism and violent extremism.”