The newly appointed US ambassador to Dhaka, Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat presented her credentials to President Md Abdul Hamid through a meeting yesterday.
A press release from the US embassy said Bernicat conveyed to Hamid her intention to promote a Bangladesh that is secure and tolerant, moving toward its goal of middle-income status.
She also emphasised that a strong Bangladesh-US relationship is in the interests of the United States and the American people, Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people, as well as the regional and global community.
“We look to Bangladesh as an important partner in the region, and we know that the people of both countries benefit when we work together, as we do on so many issues,” she said.
Climate change, disaster management and other development issues were also discussed during the meet.
The US envoy met Pankaj Saran, Indian High commissioner to Dhaka, on the same day before she met with the President.
Confirming the matter, a diplomat who wished not to be named told UNB that it was just a “courtesy meeting” and could not say anything about the content of the meeting.
Bernicat became ambassador at a time when Bangladesh is closely monitoring the evolving relationship between New Delhi and Washington after the recent visit of US President Barack Obama to New Delhi.
“We are looking forward to working with her,” said a senior official of the foreign ministry.
Bernicat has replaced Dan Mozena, who spoke with the press when he arrived at the airport as ambassador designate in November 2011. Deviating from what her predecessor did, she did not talk to the press upon arrival since she was asked not to.
Ambassador Bernicat arrived in Dhaka on January 25.
Bernicat has extensive experience in South Asia, having served as office director for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs at the Department of State (2006-2008) and as the Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in New Delhi, India (1992-1995).
Bernicat most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State. Prior to that assignment, she was Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau (2008-2011).