Secretary of State John Kerry said USA and Bangladesh intelligence and law enforcement agencies will work more closely together to fight extremists after a spate of attacks on locals and foreigners alike raised concerns the Islamic State is spreading its network here.
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During his meeting with top leaders Kerry discussed important security issues.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Nisha Desai Biswal and Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat, along with other US officials, accompanied Kerry. In each session, he made the point that Bangladesh must deal with the roots of the attacks, the most recent of which killed 20 people, including 17 foreigners, at a popular restaurant last month in the capital. You can make some noise.perhaps the media would do us all a service if they didn’t cover it quite as much.
Later in the day, Kerry is due to depart to India, where he together with US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker will co-chair the second US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue in New Delhi.
When the prime minister raised the issue of getting money and arms by the IS terrorists, John Kerry said the IS terrorists are getting money through selling the oil from the areas that have been captured by them. US officials say Kerry will continue to urge dialogue between India and Pakistan over the dispute, the cause of two of three wars between the nations. Bangladesh will see more US engagements in countering terrorism, he said. Before leaving Dhaka this evening Kerry had a meeting with main Opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
He arrived in Dhaka around 10:10 a.m. local time and visited the Bangabandhu museum in Dhanmondi 32.
He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid rising tensions in the disputed region of Kashmir which is divided between India and its rival neighbour, Pakistan.
We are glad that the U.S. considers Bangladesh an important development partner and that our two countries will engage more deeply in the fight against terror that threatens to engulf countries in the region.
He added: “The United States is proud to be friend (of Bangladesh) and strong supporter of the fulfilment of his (Bangabandhu’s) vision”.
Kerry landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and was greeted by Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali.
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A U.S. state department statement had earlier said Kerry will also “focus on strengthening our longstanding bilateral partnership on democracy, development, security and human rights”.
