DHAKA /
The United States today offered expertise and technical supports to Bangladesh in its counter terrorism efforts as Washington
reiterated its pledge to stay beside the government in the crucial juncture when the country faced a terror attack on July 1, reports BSS.
The visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Desai Biswal, came up with the offer during her meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque at State guesthouse Padma this afternoon.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam also joined the meeting.
“We had a discussion with the US delegation on how we could address the current situation and further deepen cooperation in countering terrorism and violent extremism together,” Foreign Secretary Mohammad Shahidul Haque told reporters emerging from the meeting.
Biswal arrived here on a two-day official visit to discuss “Bangladesh’s bilateral relations and security situations”.
Responding to a query, the foreign secretary said the US side proposed supports at various levels including training and finding out new strategies in countering terrorism. “The discussion on US support just started today… we are positive to accept supports from the willing countries but the question is to find out the modalities,” he said.
Haque said Biswal is expected to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and there will be more discussions till tomorrow with a number of ministers.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Manpreet Anand were also present.
The US Assistant Secretary offered her condolences for the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Holey Artisan Bakery in the city’s Gulshan area on July 1 leaving 22 people mostly foreigners killed.