Kerry arrives for Bangladesh talks amid terrorism concerns

From Dhaka, Kerry will visit India, where cooperation between the US, India and Bangladesh in combating terrorism will be a priority agenda during discussions. In addition to this, an attack during which 22 hostages, including 18 foreigners, were killed in a restaurant in Dhaka took place on the first of July. “I told him that there is no such terrorist or militants from outside or who are connected with the (Islamic State), but there are militants inside our country and they are homegrown”, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told Reuters.

After talks on Syria with Russian and United Nations officials, Kerry planned to depart Geneva later Sunday for meetings with Bangladeshi officials, opposition and civic leaders who are coping with a series of extremist attacks.

The high-profile visit comes as Bangladesh reels from a wave of murders of secular, liberal activists and religious minorities.

Kerry said the USA would work together with Bangladesh to fight terrorism and reiterated its offer to provide experts to this end.

Police have conducted a series of raids on suspected militant hideouts since the cafe attack that have killed at least 26 extremists. The cafe attack has prompted foreigners, including potential investors, to leave Bangladesh – sparking worries for its garment industry, the world’s second largest after China. We are reassured by the Secretary’s comments that the USA will assist Bangladesh on all important sectors related to our development.

He is also slated to meet Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

US Secretary of State visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 at 11.30 am and paid respects to founding father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The globe-trotting Kerry has never visited Bangladesh, and his decision to stop here reflects how the Bangladesh attacks have sharpened USA focus on the predominantly Muslim country as a potential Islamic State breeding ground.

After the meeting, the perime minister’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The current S& CD would be reviewing the progress made so far in strengthening the agreed upon issues and lay down the road map for the ensuing year, under the two tracks, the Union ministry said. The US is proud to be a friend and strong supporter of the fulfillment of his vision.

He had scheduled a meeting with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

Kerry in Bangladesh for talks on security, human rights was posted in World of TheNews International – https://www.thenews.com.pk on August 29, 2016 and was last updated on August 29, 2016.