US Secretary of State John Kerry in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Prime Minister’s Office on August 29, 2016. Dhaka Tribune/Syed Zakir Hossain
Kerry arrived in Dhaka on a short trip on Monday morning.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali greets his US counterpart John Kerry at the Shahjala International Airport in Dhaka on August 29, 2016. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat was also present there Dhaka Tribune/Syed Zakir HossainHis visit will likely to focus on security cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties. He will also focus on development and human rights.Diplomatic sources told the Dhaka Tribune that Kerry will focus too on development and human rights during his day-long trip to Dhaka.Bangladesh has witnessed a series of attacks on secular writers, rights activists, foreigners and religious minorities. Last month, the country saw its worst terrorist attack in which 17 foreigners were killed.Read More: Security will dominate talks in Kerry’s visit
Washington believes the killings carry the hallmarks of Islamic State and al-Qaeda, and worries that such attacks could drive away investment from Bangladesh, Reuters says. The government maintains that these attacks are works of home-grown militants.Ahead of Kerry's visit, a senior State Department official said there had been “intensification of the dialogue” on security in the past several months, Reuters adds.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his US counterpart John Kerry pose for official photo op at the Shahjala International Airport in Dhaka on August 29, 2016. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat was also present there Dhaka Tribune/Syed Zakir HossainHe will call on President Md Abdul Hamid too, diplomatic sources said.
Sources say the US diplomat is expected to meet BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at the residence of US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat.Read More: John Kerry to meet Khaleda Zia Monday
The former head of US Senate foreign relations committee will also meet his Bangladeshi counterpart Mahmood Ali before leaving for New Delhi in the evening.
