Bangladesh considers US President Joe Biden’s letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “very positive” as it signals forging a new partnership between Dhaka and Washington, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said.
“So, we want new partnerships,” the minister said on Monday, replying to a question at the foreign ministry.
In the letter, Biden expressed his willingness to work together to achieve Bangladesh's economic goals. He also expressed willingness to partner with Bangladesh on their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
"The United States is committed to supporting Bangladesh's ambitious economic goals and partnering with Bangladesh on our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," Biden had said.
As the two countries embark on the next chapter of the US-Bangladesh partnership, the US President said he wants to convey the sincere desire of his administration to continue their work together on regional and global security, economic development, climate change and energy, global health, humanitarian support, especially for Rohingya refugees, and more.
"We have a long and successful history of working together to solve problems, and our strong people-to-people ties are the foundation of this relationship," the US President wrote to PM Sheikh Hasina.
“We warmly congratulate this letter. We think our relationship with the United States is very good. With this letter from the President of the United States, our relationship will improve and reach a different level,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said.
“On Sunday, the US President wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. In that letter, it is said that they will work together with us to fulfill our goal of bringing economic prosperity to Bangladesh. The US President has expressed interest in working together on international peace and security, the Rohingya crisis, and climate change issues,” he said.
“The US President has written about the new partnership in his letter. So, we want new partnerships. We already have a partnership. We are already working to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In the letter, it has been mentioned to strengthen that partnership,” the foreign minister said.
When asked whether the discomfort with the US has passed, the foreign minister said: "I think there is no reason for discomfort."
The US was critical of the last general elections following the opposition BNP’s boycott.