Bangladesh News Bangladesh - U.S.A Relation

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Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for its solid manufacturing facility of Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain Building (FAHB) located at Tongi, Gazipur.

Eskayef had submitted an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Pregabalin capsules in eight different strengths including 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg and 300 mg.

This approval will allow Eskayef to export solid pharmaceutical products including Pregabalin from this state-of-the-art facility to the US market.

Pregabalin is an anti-epileptic drug, which is also used to control neuropathic pain. Eskayef will launch this product in the USA in a short period of time.

Simeen Rahman, Group CEO of Transcom Limited and Managing Director & CEO of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited stated, "It is a moment of great pride and a significant move towards our long-term strategy of stepping into the US market. In this journey, we have our aspiration to focus on technology driven molecules and complex products in the pipeline to address unmet patient needs, where I believe the talented individuals at Eskayef will differentiate us with others."

 

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So US offered to sell weapons and only presented draft for GSOMIA, no report about ACSA.

 

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The exercise on the peacekeeping missions titled 'Tiger Lightning-3' jointly organised by the Bangladesh Army and the US Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) was inaugurated at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training in Rajendrapur cantonment Sunday.

The exercise is being held from 06-31 March at Rajendrapur. The objective of the exercise is to make the participants skilled in situation assessment during critical moments, make effective plans and take quick action to tackle sudden challenges.

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Besides, experts from both countries would exchange knowledge and experience on combat lifesaving, counter IED (C-IED), sexual exploitation and abuse, conflict-related violence, etc. "Exercise Tiger Lightning would help cement the relationship between the US and Bangladesh. Bangladesh Army has the record of conducting successful operations in the UN peacekeeping missions in a hostile environment," the Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army Lt General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan said while inaugurating the programme as the chief guest.

The US Army, on the other hand, has the experience of working in different security situations across the globe, he added.


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View attachment 41261

The exercise on the peacekeeping missions titled 'Tiger Lightning-3' jointly organised by the Bangladesh Army and the US Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) was inaugurated at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training in Rajendrapur cantonment Sunday.

The exercise is being held from 06-31 March at Rajendrapur. The objective of the exercise is to make the participants skilled in situation assessment during critical moments, make effective plans and take quick action to tackle sudden challenges.

View attachment 41262

Besides, experts from both countries would exchange knowledge and experience on combat lifesaving, counter IED (C-IED), sexual exploitation and abuse, conflict-related violence, etc. "Exercise Tiger Lightning would help cement the relationship between the US and Bangladesh. Bangladesh Army has the record of conducting successful operations in the UN peacekeeping missions in a hostile environment," the Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army Lt General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan said while inaugurating the programme as the chief guest.

The US Army, on the other hand, has the experience of working in different security situations across the globe, he added.


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The USA is willing to increase investment in climate-smart technology to tackle the climate change-induced challenges in the agriculture and food security sector of Bangladesh.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been running activities worth $5 crore to ensure agriculture and food security, USDA Bangladesh Mission Chief Megan M Francis told a press conference Wednesday.

She said that more risks may arise in future in the cultivation process at the coastal areas. That's why the US would increase cooperation and investment in climate-smart technologies. Besides, the country would also help in innovating new technologies and research.

Referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Megan said that it would deepen the food security crisis. Already the food price inflation has risen. The supply chain would be affected too in the coming days, especially the distribution of agro-inputs, she added.

The US never wants any hindrance on food and agro products, said Megan.

As a G-7 member, the US always advocates that no country should impose a ban on agro products.

Speaking on plans of USDA regarding future agricultural development of Bangladesh, Megan said that the major challenge of agriculture is the distribution or improving the supply chain management.

Besides, USDA is trying to increase the flow of information and enhance both public-private partnerships for the development of agriculture, she said.

 

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The United States has warned Bangladesh regarding increasing business with China, saying that countries like Sri Lanka which got involved "unwisely" with China are now "suffering" from the Chinese debt trap.

According to a Bangladesh foreign ministry report on the recently held eighth US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue, Washington also told Dhaka that the US is unlikely to rescind sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and some of its current and former officials over "serious human rights abuse" anytime soon.

The US delegation led by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland told their counterparts that Bangladesh needs to exhibit visible efforts to further improve its democratic system for being invited in the next "Democratic Summit" to be convened by the US president.

Signed by Foreign Ministry Director General Toufiq Islam Shatil, the report on the dialogue, held in Dhaka on 20 March, was sent to different ministries on 28 March.

According to the report, the US in the dialogue referred to the recent abstention of Bangladesh from voting on a UN resolution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and said, "This is not a moment of being neutral."

On bolstering economic relations between Bangladesh and the US, Under Secretary Victoria Nuland said many US companies are interested in investing in Bangladesh, but she added that more work needs to be done to improve the investment climate in the country.

China dilemma

The US at the dialogue renewed its advice to Bangladesh on moving away from China, and assured support by the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Referring to Bangladesh's abstention from voting on a UN resolution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US made a plea to Bangladesh to come up with a situational decision and assess the full potential of the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), terming Chinese behaviour in the region as "coercive to human rights and democracy".

The US delegation told Dhaka that Washington would very soon release an "Economic Framework" of the strategy.

The US side in the dialogue termed the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine as strategic competition between autocracy and democracy and "awful" to greater security and prosperity of the world.

The US Under Secretary further pressed it as "unacceptable" and sought Bangladesh's support for a democratic strengthening of the community, the report notes.

Earlier at the three-day Munich Conference held on 18-20 February this year, the United States and India advised Bangladesh to move away from China and turn to Quad – a group of four countries: the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.

On the other hand, China, one of the largest development partners of Bangladesh, also warned last year that Bangladesh's joining Quad would worsen Bangladesh-China relations.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said China has come forward with "a basket of money" for the development of Bangladesh. "They have come up with aggressive as well as cost-effective proposals. Does the United States want to come up with more attractive funding proposals for infrastructure development in countries like Bangladesh?"

Referring to the US, the foreign minister said, "We need more funding from our development partners, but unfortunately, they bring a lot of complications and it becomes difficult for us to accept their proposals."

RAB row and human rights

Lifting sanctions on RAB and its top officials dominated Dhaka's agenda at the dialogue. According to the report, Dhaka explained the allegations brought against RAB over certain specific incidents.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, who led the Bangladesh side, reiterated that Bangladesh had always shown its readiness to deal with any specific allegations against RAB members.

The US side appreciated the Bangladesh government's willingness to work closely with the United States to find ways and means to lift sanctions on RAB. However, it cautioned that the lifting of the sanctions would require detailed assessment on whether there are qualitative changes, and may take time.

The US side also mentioned that it is well aware of the discomfort of the government about RAB sanctions, but simultaneously stated that it has "credible information" on the extrajudicial killings.

The US Under Secretary raised two questions in this regard – how did Bangladesh investigate the extrajudicial killing cases against RAB personnel and what is the training process of RAB?

Foreign ministry officials said after the RAB sanctions in December 2021, there had been concern that the overall political relations between two countries were experiencing some gap.

The US side also expressed concern about abuses of the Digital Security Act and the crackdown on civil society, religious minorities and opposition leaders.

Bangladesh expressed its openness to suggestions of the international community for better enforcement of the act and identification of loopholes, according to the report.

In response, the Under Secretary mentioned that the US government is ready to support Bangladesh by joining the review process of the act.

Surprising non-invitation

Dhaka at the dialogue told Washington that non-inclusion in the first Democracy Summit in December last year was "a matter of surprise" for Bangladesh.

As one of the largest democracies in the world in terms of population, Bangladesh expressed the hope that it will be invited to the next Democracy Summit to be convened by President Joe Biden.

"The US delegation expressed willingness to assist Bangladesh in formulating some pledges, as is being done by countries that have attended the first Democracy Summit. These pledges are likely to encourage the White House to invite Bangladesh in the next Democracy Summit," noted the foreign ministry report.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also told the US side that Bangladesh has successfully been able to pass the "Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Appointment Bill-2022" that would eventually pave the way to a free, fair and participatory election in due course.

Enhancing trade ties

Bangladesh reiterated its request for restoration of the generalised system of preferences (GSP) and duty-free quota-free access to the US market and requested the US administration to consider revising the bilateral investment treaty and avoidance of a double taxation treaty between Bangladesh and the USA.

The US side, however, did not comment about GSP and other preferential market access issues.

Bangladesh stressed that it will look forward to more US investment in such sectors as agro-processing, infrastructure, healthcare, electronics, shipbuilding, light engineering and ICT.

The US side raised the long-outstanding issue of double fumigation requirement of cotton imported from the US, underscoring that it needs an early resolution of the issue, said the report.

Blue economy, military agreement

Bangladesh placed several proposals to the US side with regard to tapping the resources of the blue economy, including fish detecting technology either through satellite or sonar, surveillance boats and equipment, research and training opportunities, sea food processing technology and technology transfer for developing marine biotechnology.

The US said its plan revolving around the Indo Pacific region would consist of both economic and security components to benefit its partners sustainably.

The US side called for a General Security of Military Information Agreement (Gsomia) so that Bangladesh could integrate with the US security and defence framework.

Regarding the defence purchase, the US noted that it would consider the price adjustment mechanism to make US defence material affordable for Bangladesh. Concerning the deployment of the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) system in peacekeeping operations under the Global Peace Operations Initiative, the US side expressed its willingness for the deployment of a UAS advisor in Dhaka, noted the foreign ministry report.

Labour rights

On labour issues, the US side stated that other South Asian countries receive $4.0 billion approximately per annum as development assistance from the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) of the US while Bangladesh is unable to qualify for it because of child labour and violations of labour law. The US side expressed its keen interest in working with Bangladesh in addressing the labour issues.

Dhaka said Bangladesh had made through massive legal and administrative reforms since 2013 to uphold labour rights and workplace safety in Bangladesh. Dhaka also informed the dialogue that a roadmap has been developed according to ILO conventions, the implementation of which would have an impact on all economic sectors of Bangladesh and involve wider engagement of stakeholders across the sectors.

Rohingya repatriation and others

Bangladesh also expressed its disappointment regarding Myanmar's non-cooperation and failure to create a conducive environment for the return of Rphingya refugees to Rakhine State and recommended further strict measures, including bringing a resolution in the UN Security Council proposing a global arms embargo and suspending the GSP facility and re-imposing economic sanctions to compel Myanmar to stop all atrocities and start the repatriation process immediately.

In response, the US side assured Dhaka that it will continue its support for Bangladesh and provide assistance for Rohingyas. The Under Secretary further stated that the US had considered more severe actions on the Myanmar military, including large scale sanctions.

The US delegation asserted its firm conviction to engage with the UN system and Bangladesh relevant to this crisis. The Under Secretary informed that the US administration is considering relocation of the displaced Rohingyas in the US and other countries, in collaboration with the UNHCR, in large numbers.

Dhaka also requested its counterpart to restart US technical mission programmes as part of reinstating Dhaka-New York direct flights and requested US cooperation in facilitating the process.

 

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Service members of US military took part in a two-week long training exercise with their Bangladesh counterparts to strengthen its defense readiness and build operational interoperability.

Members of the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5th SFAB) out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, the Oregon Army National Guard along with two members from the 303rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, attended the drill from March 19 to 31, says a statement by the US Embassy in Bangladesh.

The exercise named "Tiger Lightning 2022 (TL22)" was sponsored by US Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Bangladesh Armed Forces that reinforced partnership between the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Oregon State National Guard.

Approximately 36 members of US military participated in this field training exercise (FTX) focusing on combined operations training and regional crisis response capabilities held at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training (BIPSOT).

The Oregon National Guard assisted with key subject matter experts, focusing on the "E," in the area of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) & counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) training.

"What I am seeing from this is that people are exchanging experiences," the statement quoted Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Demain San Miguel, lead planner for the exercise, on the occasion.

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"The people know their equipment, they know the capabilities, but they're sharing their experiences from Mali, Iraq, and Afghanistan, on how the equipment worked and didn't work, as well as how you can use the equipment together," he added.

One such piece of equipment that the Bangladeshis use, which the US military doesn't utilize are small remote-controlled drones in the traditional forces, according to the statement.

This piece of commercially produced equipment can give the user all the data they could need in a situation while mitigating huge risks of an individual. A demonstration of their drone equipment was shown first hand by the Bangladeshi bomb technicians during a case study exercise where the drone investigated a parked vehicle with an IED inside. Using the little drone the bomb tech was able to investigate the vehicle from a safe distance and then use a remote controlled wheeled robot called “the Hunter” that uses a mechanical claw to remove the IED from the vehicle, which the EOD bomb tech was to safely detonate, it said.

“I have been impressed by the proficiency of the Bangladesh armed forces in the C-IED field,” the statement quoted US Army Sergeant 1st Class Patrick Dean, a C-IED subject matter expert, assigned to the Oregon National Guard.

Explaining the process, Dean emphasized that, “They have all the procedures and checks down on what you do when exiting a vehicle, and it showed when they demonstrated it to us yesterday.”

One of the key aspects that has been repeated during this exercise from the Oregon delegates is how the Bangladesh military has real-world United Nations Peacekeeping Operation experiences, and that the US military members have been greatly appreciative of getting their perspectives on. A highly valuable exchange for all members involved in TL22.

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“They are much further along in their EOD program than one would think,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Grant Holman, a bomb technician assigned to the 303rd Ordinance Battalion. “They have enough working knowledge that their EOD techs would probably pass our EOD training school. They are very capable and understand the actual threats which makes sense, because of their real-world UN deployments they have been on.”

Echoing back to the design of the exercise; subject matter expert exchange, the knowledge and real world experiences that these two nations have been sharing with each other has been invaluable to all involved. From the hands-on demonstrations, questions and answers, to the classroom scenario case studies; Exercise Tiger Lighting 2022 has been a complete success.

“Absolutely, 100 percent. It’s very clear that these officers who have deployed to Mali and the Congo, know their C-IED procedures. They have different equipment than what we normally use, but they have good procedures built in that helps them unitize all the equipment that they do have very effectively.” said Lt. Col. San Miguel.

San Miguel said he hopes to have the Bangladeshi C-IED crew visit Oregon in the near future so that they can continue their training on what has been a successful State Partnership Program exercise in the realm of C-IED and EOD training.

 

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Bangladesh has not decided yet to buy weapon from US. BD is still not interested to buy American weapons and will not sign any defense pact under any pressure.

 

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Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought diversified investment from the United States, noting that it is time to look beyond the energy sector while investing in Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh is doing pretty well. But most of the investment (from the US) has been in the energy sector. Maybe it is time to look beyond that," he said, while noting that the US is Bangladesh's biggest trading partner with the largest accumulated investment in the country.

Before the formal beginning of the bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken at the US Department of State, Momen said he is looking forward to a more enhanced and "rock-solid" relationship with the United States of America.

Bangladesh again demanded the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on elite force Rab and some individuals during the bilateral meeting where they discussed bilateral, regional, and global issues.

The US side appreciated the progress made over the last four months and cited the time-consuming process that needs to be followed for the withdrawal of such restrictions.

The two countries discussed what they can do together to strengthen the partnership as Bangladesh sought wider and diversified cooperation from the US.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bangladesh-US diplomatic ties (4 April, 1972), the meeting began at 1:30pm (Washington DC time) and lasted for around 45 minutes.

Lawmaker Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary (West) Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, and Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam accompanied Momen at the meeting.

In his remarks before the meeting formally commenced, Secretary Blinken expressed happiness for being able to work together on strengthening the partnership between the United States and Bangladesh.

"We are in fact celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. And even as we think back on those 50 years, we're really looking ahead to the start of the next 50 and the work that we can do together, as I said, to strengthen our partnership," he said.

The US Secretary of State said Bangladesh has been a leader in rallying other countries to deal with the climate crisis that the planet is facing.

"We deeply appreciate that, and we're working closely together as well on Covid-19, and we're proud to have been able to contribute through COVAX some 61 million vaccine doses to Bangladesh," he said.

In turn, Secretary Blinken said, Bangladesh of course is showing extraordinary humanity and generosity in hosting nearly 1 million Rohingyas who have had to flee persecution in Myanmar.

"We're grateful for that, and the work that you've done as one of the strongest supporters of UN peacekeeping around the world, and many other things as well. But we'll have an opportunity today to discuss the work we're doing together bilaterally in the region and indeed even globally," he said.

In his opening remarks, Momen also thanked his US counterpart for committing 61 million of the vaccines - the highest among all the countries. "I think Bangladesh is the number one in terms of receiving the vaccine."

In addition, he said, the 31 million for the recent economic assistance. "And I also thank you because you have declared the genocide in Myanmar, and we're so happy you did. I hope there will be some repatriation of these persecuted people," said the foreign minister.

Momen mentioned that they received a letter from President Biden and termed it an excellent letter. "It helps what we want to do. It talks about the last 50 years; we have done a remarkable achievement."

The foreign minister said the US has always been a friend of Bangladesh, during bad times and good times. "And we look forward to a bright future, and that's why I'm here."

Over the last 50 years, Momen said, Bangladesh really achieved many – a lot of achievements. "Now we have a vibrant economy, a land of opportunity. And the US has been a great partner and friend."

Adding a personal note, he said he was thankful to the USA for providing him with a job and home when he was "homeless, jobless, and stateless."


Bangladesh will have a security dialogue with the US in Washington Wednesday to discuss issues of mutual interests in a broader security sphere.

At the 8th Security Dialogue, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will lead the Bangladesh delegation while Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Denise Jenkins will lead the US delegation.

This is the first time that a foreign secretary-level security dialogue is taking place between the two countries instead of the DG level.

Foreign Secretary Masud left Dhaka for the US Sunday to attend the dialogue.

He will also accompany Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Monday.

During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland's recent Bangladesh visit, the US shared a draft on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front.

"We're very confident that we'll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka.

The US is pushing to conclude certain foundational defence agreements – GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defence relationship, expanding opportunities for defence trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between two countries.

Bangladesh says it is still examining the proposals.

For 50 years, the US and Bangladesh have enjoyed cordial diplomatic ties and partnered on a wide range of security issues, including border security, maritime security, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, defence trade, and defence institution building, according to the US Department of State.

The US engages Bangladesh through several bilateral and multilateral fora and the two governments continue to work together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific.

Since 2015, the US has provided $66.9 million in foreign military financing (FMF) and $7.29 million in international military education and training (IMET) assistance to Bangladesh.

FMF assistance includes $10 million in bilateral programming and $56.9 million in Bay of Bengal Initiative Regional FMF.

The US Department of State's Bay of Bengal Initiative, through support provided via FMF, seeks to enhance the capacity of civilian and military actors to detect illicit activity within their borders and in the region.

Also, it aims to build networks and habits of cooperation to enable countries to share information, develop their capacity to respond promptly to illicit activity, and support our partners in enabling a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean.

 

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Bangladesh has not decided yet to buy weapon from US. BD is still not interested to buy American weapons and will not sign any defense pact under any pressure.
rajnoitik boktobbo (political statement)

we will see in the next couple of months.
 

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