The United States has reaffirmed its stance on the importance of democracy and electoral integrity in Bangladesh, stating that the country's future must be determined by its own people.
"Elections matter. I don’t want to sound trite here, but it’s true. Democracy matters, and actions by people matter to confront issues," said U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a regular press briefing in Washington DC on April 15, responding to a Bangladesh-specific question raised by a journalist referencing international media coverage, including a report by The New York Times.
Bruce emphasized that while Bangladesh faces certain challenges, its trajectory remains a matter for its own citizens and leadership. “They are a country we’ve talked about often, certainly with the questions from the crew here,” she added, highlighting the importance of ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, key diplomatic visits are underway. Nicole Ann Chulick, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, is currently visiting Dhaka. On Tuesday, she acknowledged Bangladesh’s "prompt and constructive" cooperation on U.S. trade initiatives during a meeting with Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser on International Affairs.
Siddiqi noted he would continue discussions in Washington DC next week with USTR, Commerce, and State Department officials to further bolster bilateral cooperation.
In parallel, Andrew R. Herrup, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is also scheduled to visit Bangladesh this week for broader talks on U.S.-Bangladesh relations.
Adding to the political momentum, a seven-member delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday. The meeting, held at the state guest house Jamuna, focused on pressing for a clear roadmap to hold national elections by December 2025.
As both diplomatic and domestic political discussions intensify, the message from Washington remains clear: democracy and the will of the Bangladeshi people must guide the nation’s path forward.
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
