Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will travel to Bangladesh and India between 10-16 September to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a media note from the US State Department's Office of the Spokesperson on Tuesday.
US delegation will also consist of representatives from the US National Security Council, State Department, Treasury and international donor agencies.
Lindsey W Ford, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, and Donald Lu, assistant secretary Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Brent Neiman, deputy under secretary for international finance at the US Department of Treasury, will also be in the delegation.
During his stay in Dhaka, Lu is scheduled to meet with Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and various members of civil society.
This is going to be the first such visit from the US since the formation of the Bangladesh's interim government on August 8.
The upcoming United States (US) high level delegation will focus on Washington's support to Bangladesh's economic growth, financial stability and development needs, said its state department.
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to India and Bangladesh from September 10 to 16, "In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Assistant Secretary Lu will join an interagency delegation for meetings with the Bangladeshi interim government," read the note.
The officials will discuss how the United States can support Bangladesh's economic growth, financial stability and development needs.
Earlier this week, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said a senior-level US delegation will visit Bangladesh this month to discuss with the interim government ways to take forward the relations between the two countries and US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will lead the delegation "Bilateral issues will be discussed with the US delegation and we will discuss how to take the relationship between the two countries forward in a changed political scenario," he had said.
He is also expected to travel to New Delhi, India, where he will highlight US-India cooperation to promote development, security, and women's economic security at the India Ideas Summit, hosted by the US-India Business Council.
Lu will also co-chair the eighth US-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, alongside US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P Royal and counterparts from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Ministry of Defense.
The dialogue will identify opportunities to enhance the US-India bilateral partnership, including defense cooperation, and expand US-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Throughout his trip, the state department said Assistant Secretary Lu will reaffirm the United States' commitment to supporting its partners' economic growth and promoting stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Labour rights in Bangladesh have been an important issue in bilateral relations for several years. Amendment to the labour law progressed, but the overall situation still lacks some improvement.
The US made 11 recommendations to improve the situation. Since the qualitative change of situation did not happen during the tenures of Awami League government, the US stressed labour situation improvement for investment and financial assistance.
During their Dhaka visit, the delegation will present the issues of US' preferences to maintain the bilateral relations. It also will try to learn and understand the expectations and demands of Bangladesh. Then the delegation will return to Washington and finalise on how Bangladesh can be provided with assistance at the policy level.
In India, he will promote US-India cooperation on development, security, and women's economic empowerment at the India Ideas Summit, hosted by the US-India Business Council.
Additionally, he will co-chair the eighth US-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue with US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Jedidiah P Royal and officials from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defense.
The dialogue will focus on enhancing US-India bilateral partnership and expanding collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
