Dhaka, Sep 14 (V7N) – US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived in Dhaka today after completing his tour of India, with Bangladesh’s interim government preparing for wide-ranging discussions with the visiting US delegation tomorrow.

Brent Neiman, the US Department of the Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for International Finance, also arrived this morning, ahead of Lu. Both officials are part of an interagency delegation for meetings with the interim government, which will address multiple aspects of US-Bangladesh bilateral relations.

Assistant US Trade Representative Brandon Lynch is also part of the delegation. Upon their arrival at the airport, they were welcomed by Samia Israt Ronee, Director (North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.

Additional members of the US delegation expected to join the talks on Sunday include US Treasury Department Director Jerrod Mason, Chargé d’affaires (ad interim) at the US Embassy in Dhaka Helen LaFave, Political/Economic Counselor Eric Geelan, and USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman.

This marks the first visit of a US delegation following the establishment of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, which came into power on August 8. The discussions will cover various topics of mutual interest, according to Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, who emphasized that the delegation’s visit underscores the importance of the US-Bangladesh relationship.

On Sunday, the delegation will meet Chief Adviser Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. The US officials aim to explore how the United States can contribute to Bangladesh's economic growth, financial stability, and development needs, according to a spokesperson from the US Department of State.

Significantly, this visit is being led by Treasury officials, with the US Treasury’s involvement being seen as central to the prospects of boosting Bangladesh’s economy. Neiman told the Financial Times earlier this week that Washington is optimistic that Bangladesh can address its economic vulnerabilities through reforms, focusing on financial sector improvements, fiscal sustainability, and anti-corruption efforts.

Bangladeshi officials, however, have refrained from disclosing specific details of the upcoming meetings. "I don’t want to comment before the discussions begin," said Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin.

Throughout his visit, Assistant Secretary Lu will emphasize the United States’ ongoing support for economic growth and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, and the delegation will discuss ways to advance bilateral relations in light of the current political landscape.

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