United States President Joe Biden met Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is leading the interim government of Bangladesh, and extended his full support to him. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
A post on X, the official account of Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh said, “President Biden expressed US government’s full support for Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his government as they met on the margin of the UNGA.”
During his visit to New York, Yunus, Bangladesh Chief Adviser, also met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
This is the first time in history of Bangladesh a US President has met a head of Bangladesh government on the sidelines UNGA.
“This is an important day. It is very rare (to see such a meeting) at the UNGA,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.
Alam said Bangladesh in any case maintains very good relations with the US and with this meeting the relationship will reach a new level.
“It’s a good news that the US stands beside Bangladesh in this period of transition,” he added.
Yunus apprised Biden about how the students stood up against the tyranny of the previous government and sacrificed their lives to create the opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh.
He emphasised that his government must succeed in rebuilding the country and would require US cooperation.
President Biden remarked that if the students could make such sacrifices for their country, then they should also do more.
Yunus handed a copy of the The Art of Triumph, a book on wall paintings drawn by the students and young students during the revolution, to President Biden during the meeting.
“Both leaders affirmed the close partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties. President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda,” a White House statement said.
Bangladesh and the US are working on a number of issues closely including labour sector reforms and the Rohingya crisis.
Although that gives them little time to discuss anything in depth, there is tremendous messaging and symbolism associated with it.
It is not usual for a US President to hold bilateral meetings during the UNGA and Dhaka hopes to see a new strategic partnership emerge out of this meeting that will strengthen the ties with the US on all fronts.
The US has already affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US said it stands ready to support those efforts.
This is Prof Yunus’s first visit to the United States as a head of government, where he will attend the 79th UNGA. Coincidentally, it is also his first visit abroad since the formation of the interim government on August 8.
Meanwhile, upon his arrival at the official hotel in New York for the UNGA session, Muhammad Yunus faced protests from demonstrators chanting “go back.”
The protesters voiced their opposition to Yunus over alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, calling out slogans such as “go back, step down, step down, step down.” They also held up posters declaring “Sheikh Hasina our prime minister.”
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