‘Bangladesh important in US Indo-Pacific strategy’: US Deputy Secretary

The US considers Bangladesh as the centerpiece in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, said US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Beigun today.

"Bangladesh's geostrategic location and continuous economic growth and stability makes it more attractive for the US," he said after a meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the State Guesthouse Padma.

Beigun arrived in Dhaka Wednesday afternoon, after a three day visit to India. He will leave for the US tomorrow.

He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban.

At the meeting, they discussed trade and investment, Rohingya crisis, and the extradition of Bagabandhu killer Rashed Chowdhury.

Bangladesh sought large investments in infrastructure, agriculture, IT, pharmaceuticals and energy, as well as US assistance on Rohingya repatriation.

Stephen Beigun said US has been providing humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh for the Rohingyas, but it's not a sustainable solution.

The US will engage Myanmar on Rohingya relocation as well, he said. However, regional countries should work together to solve the crisis, he told reporters.