4th Bangladesh-Canada bilateral talks held in Dhaka
![Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and Dr Donald Bobiash Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and Dr Donald Bobiash](https://tds-images.thedailystar.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_202/public/feature/images/pic_3_0.jpg)
The 4th Bilateral Consultation between Bangladesh and Canada was held in Dhaka today.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque led the Bangladesh delegation while the Canadian delegation was led by Dr Donald Bobiash, assistant deputy minister, Asia Pacific, Global Affairs Canada, according to a press release of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A wide range of issues related to political relations, economic cooperation and development assistance, global and regional issues were covered in the dialogue, the release read, adding that the Canadian leader of the delegation applauded the tremendous economic growth that has taken place in Bangladesh.
The issue of forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar featured quite prominently during the discussions. Bangladesh deeply appreciated the strong position adopted by the Canadian government on this issue and requested for its political support in this regard till a peaceful means is found to resolve this humanitarian crisis with sustainable return of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homes in Myanmar.
The long-standing issue of deportation of Nur Chowdhury, the self confessed and convicted killer of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was also discussed during the consultations and Bangladesh side emphasised on his early deportation. Both sides agreed to continue with their discussions on this issue in the next round of meeting.
The Bangladesh delegation also illustrated the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ to all forms of terrorism and countering violent extremism and elaborated on the efforts of its law enforcement agencies in this regard, according to the release.
The Canadian side proposed to establish a ‘Blue Ribbon Pannel’ jointly sponsored by business chambers and private sectors of both the countries to propose concrete steps to further enhance the bilateral economic interest. The proposal was well appreciated by the Bangladesh side.
Both the countries expressed commitments to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Canada expressed its interest to support Bangladesh with its initiatives by providing funding through Asian Development Bank. It also intended to assist Bangladesh in its development efforts through its newly introduced international-assistance policy focusing on women empowerment and gender equality.
Both Bangladesh and Canada agreed to continue with the bilateral consultations on a regular basis. The next round of the dialogue between the two countries will take place at a mutually convenient date and time in Ottawa, Canada, the release added.
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