Dhaka and Washington are expected to sign a joint document styled 'Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue' during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Dhaka on May 5-6.
“Both countries feel that there should be a structured umbrella forum under which the two countries will hold regular dialogue on a full range of bilateral issues like political, economic and security issues,” a high official of the foreign ministry said.
Hillary Clinton arrives in Dhaka at around 4:30pm on May 5 and will first hold bilateral talks with her Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni at the Prime Minister's Office. The two sides are expected to discuss a host of issues.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Akramul Qader said the US Secretary of State's visit is a clear manifestation of excellent relations between the two countries.
“This visit carries special significance as it will also manifest US recognition to Bangladesh as a role model moderate Muslim majority country and of Bangladesh's continued economic growth,” he said.
Asked about the agenda for discussion, the ambassador said the agenda is still being prepared. However he added that Dhaka will request for duty-free and quota free access of readymade garments, Bangladesh's inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and reiterate an old demand by Bangladesh for the deportation of Bangabandhu's condemned killer Rashed Chowdhury from USA.
On signing of the proposed 'US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue', Akramul Qader said this may be signed as a guiding document or may come in as a joint declaration after bilateral talks between Hillary and Dipu Moni.
A senior official at the foreign ministry told The Daily Star that the text of the document is yet to be finalised, but both the sides are working to place it at the bilateral talks.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena, met Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday afternoon. Afterwards he told reporters about some of the things he was hoping would be accomplished during the visit of the US Secretary of State.
He said that both the foreign minister and he agreed that this visit was very important and would further boost bilateral relations between the two nations.
Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Dhaka Nocholas J Dean, meanwhile, met with Chief of Protocol of the Foreign Ministry Khondker M Talha. They discussed security measures and the Hillary Clinton's programme schedule.