Biden Writes to PM Hasina, Expresses US Commitment to Bangladesh's Economic Goals

US President Joe Biden has written to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressing his willingness to work together to achieve the South Asian country’s economic goals. On Sunday, the US Embassy in the country shared the letter with the country’s foreign ministry.

Biden, whose administration repeatedly criticised the Hasina government before her re-election, expressed willingness to partner with Bangladesh on their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. “The United States is committed to supporting Bangladesh’s ambitious economic goals and partnering with Bangladesh on our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Biden, was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune, in a letter.

Biden said he wants to convey the sincere desire of his administration to continue their work together on regional and global security, economic development, climate change and energy, global health, humanitarian support, especially for Rohingya refugees, and more. “We have a long and successful history of working together to solve problems, and our strong people-to-people ties are the foundation of this relationship,” the US President wrote to PM Hasina.

Last month, the US and the UK said the general elections that extended Hasina’s rule were not credible, free and fair. Both nations, which have trade and development ties with Bangladesh, also condemned political violence that preceded the election in which Hasina’s party won more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats while turnout was low and the main opposition party boycotted.

“The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on election day. The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated,” State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said in January. Bangladesh is an important partner of the US interest in the Indo-Pacific region along with neighbouring India amid the growing influence of China.