January 9, 2023
DHAKA – US President Joe Biden has said Bangladesh and US will continue to work on democratic governance, climate change, refugees, and maritime security.
“We are invested in your success and support the ability of all Bangladeshis to freely participate in and contribute to their country’s development,” he said, while accepting the credentials of the newly-appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran at the White House recently.
Biden said his country acknowledges their enduring partnership with Dhaka and termed Bangladesh’s economic growth over the past 50 years as a “remarkable story”.
“As 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of US-Bangladesh relations, I would like to acknowledge our enduring partnership with Bangladesh,” Biden mentioned in his written remarks, according to a statement of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC yesterday.
While formally presenting the credentials to the US president, Ambassador Imran conveyed the greetings of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Biden in his letter to the ambassador said, “My administration looks forward to working with you to deepen our relations as we address the opportunities and challenges ahead. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Washington.”
Biden also assured the Bangladesh ambassador of extending all sorts of cooperation during his tenure in the US.
Bangladesh has emerged as an important partner on international trade and investment, climate change, humanitarian, refugee, UN Peacekeeping, and counterterrorism, maritime and other security issues, he continued.
He said Bangladesh has expanded its largely agrarian-based economy to a regional economic power poised to become a major participant in global supply chains.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting nearly one million Rohingyas, the US president said they would continue to support Bangladesh in assisting these refugees and their host communities, and protecting their rights.
The US is committed to finding sustainable and durable solutions to this humanitarian crisis, he said.
On the pandemic, Biden mentioned that the US is proud to partner with Bangladesh to address the pandemic under the Covid-19 Global Action Plan. “We are committed to expanding our growing partnership in the months and years ahead,” he remarked.
This is the first time after the pandemic Biden received in-person the credentials of newly-appointed envoys. Ambassador Imran was the first in a group of 10 ambassadors who presented credentials.
After returning from the White House, Ambassador Imran paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu at the Bangladesh Embassy.