High level US delegation to visit Dhaka this month: Diplomatic Source

International Desk: A senior-level US delegation is likely to visit Bangladesh this month to discuss ways with the interim government to take forward the relations between the two countries in a changed political scenario.

The two countries are in discussion to finalise things regarding the visit, said a diplomatic source on Tuesday.

This is going to be the first such visit from the US since the formation of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on August 8.

Once finalised, the delegation is likely to be in Dhaka before Prof Yunus’s departure for New York to attend the 79th UN General Assembly, the source told UNB.

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is likely to be part of the delegation.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey W. Ford will also be part of the US delegation, said a diplomatic source.

In this role, she serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership within the Department of Defence for all policy matters pertaining to the development and implementation of defence strategies and plans for the region.

Her area of responsibility includes bilateral security relations with India and all other South Asian countries, excepting Afghanistan; and with the nations of Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, US Deputy Under Secretary/Assistant Secretary for International Finance Brent Neiman may join the US delegation.

Neiman serves as the Deputy Under Secretary for International Finance at the U.S Department of the Treasury.

There might be a representative from the USAID.

The delegation will meet Chief Adviser Professor Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed apart from their other engagements.

“You need to wait a couple of days. I have nothing to share at this moment,” said a source in Washington.