Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has extolled the US contribution in Bangladesh and said Washington always extended its helping hands “in the times of necessity, in times of need”.
He cited some examples that include US support to Bangladesh in fighting natural calamities, the Covid-19 pandemic, spurring agricultural growth and humanitarian response to the Rohingya community.
“In times of crisis, the US always extended a helping hand towards Bangladesh,” he said while speaking at a reception marking the 248th Independence Day of the US at Hotel Le Meridien on Tuesday.
July 4 is the US Independence Day.
Outgoing US Ambassador Peter Haas also spoke at the occasion, and said: “Today, I would also like to express the desire to build an ever more perfect relationship between the United States and Bangladesh.”
He, however, called dissidents, journalists, human rights and civil society activists or anybody willing to challenge the status quo and to fight for the change as “brave patriots”
“Just because they disagree does not mean that they are disloyal,” he said.
The US had been pressuring the government ahead of the January 7 elections to ensure what Washington termed “free and fair” elections. This led to the perception that the US was unhappy with the prospect of the Awami League returning to power.
The foreign minister’s statement praising the US’s role in Bangladesh received widespread applause.
Hasan Mahmud said the US Independence Day has inspired people around the world.
“Our journey towards independence under the leadership of our great leader, founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inspired by the same yearning for freedom and self-determination.”
He recalled the contribution of the people of the US during the Liberation War in 1971.
“In the last 52 years of diplomatic relations, our relationship has evolved with the times and I must thankfully recognize the US contribution in our journey … .in our journey to realize the dream of our founding father, to realise the dream of our Liberation War,” the foreign minister said.
He recalled the 1991 cyclone when, as a young man, he worked as a volunteer of the Bangladesh army in rescue operations.
“I saw in 1991 our devastating cyclone storm. 8,000 naval and marine personnel under the Operation Sea Angel were deployed by the United States for the rescue operation.”
“And more recently during Covid-19 pandemic. Bangladesh is a country of 175 million population and we were horrified. And at that time, the US government, the people of the US extended their hands and donated 137 million Covid-19 vaccines,” he said.
“So, in times of necessity, in times of need, the US always extended hands towards Bangladesh, towards the people of Bangladesh.”
He also highlighted the “magical leadership” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said its because of her that Bangladesh, being the 92nd country in terms of area, ranks third in rice production, second in sweet water fish production, fourth in vegetable production, seventh in potato production, and number one in Hilsha fish production.
“We are within the top ten countries of the world in producing 14 agricultural products, despite having the lowest per capita arable land in this country.
“It would never be possible for us to achieve this remarkable progress without assistance and help from the US,” he said.
The US is also the biggest trading partner of Bangladesh, he said, seeking support for Bangladesh’s journey to becoming a developed country.
“As Bangladesh is transforming into a smart and developed country by 2041, in this journey, we very much need the assistance and cooperation of the United States of America in future as we have got in the past 52 years.”
He also highlighted the Rohingya crisis and said it is the US that has helped Bangladesh the most with its humanitarian assistance.
“But we want the solution to the cause which is the proper and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya people to their homeland, Myanmar.”
“In this respect, to exert more pressure on Myanmar, we need continued assistance from the United States of America,” he said.
He also thanked the US for helping Bangladesh fight climate change.
He highlighted the letter sent by President Joe Biden to the Prime Minister after her re-election and said in that letter, Biden expressed his willingness “to elevate our relationship to the second stage.”
“So, we should be working together to further strengthen our relationship and for the well-being of the people of our country and of the US,” he said.
The foreign minister further said: “Bangladesh is committed to work together with the United States of America, the great country, to establish peace, stability and economic well-being of the humankind and for the people of the world.”