The recent successful student revolution, democracy, human rights, rule of law protecting minorities and Indian establishments, trade, and US investment are expected to dominate Prof Muhammad Yunus- Joseph R. Biden talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which reflects growing relations between the two countries.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to hold a meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden on Tuesday, sources in Dhaka, New York  told the Dazzling Dawn.

It is very significant as no US president held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades, the official added.

US President Joe Biden commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi at their bilateral meeting Saturday on the margins of the Quad Summit, discussed various issues including the recent   revolution that toppled dictator Sheikh Hasina, regional security and the Indo-Pacific issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian politicians are concerned over the protection of minorities and Indian investment and establishments in Bangladesh after dictator Sheikh Hasina was ousted through a massive student movement and sought the intervention of US President Joseph R. Biden in the issues as Dhaka and Washington now enjoy warm relations with  Prof Muhammad Yunus as the head of the  interim government of Bangladesh, sources   said.

The Indian-American diaspora in the USA are very strong that USA politicians –both Democratic and Republican- can’t overlook.      

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will also highlight the loss of some 1000 lives and some 20,000 injured in recent revolution in  movement against the dictator Sheikh Hasina, demolition of democracy and human rights values and harassment of opposition political parties and thousands of leaders workers during 2009-2024 tenure, sources said 

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is expected to highlight the path towards democracy, restoration of human rights, establishment of liberal society, US investment and political and economic support in the short meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden…

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is likely to seek US cooperation in rebuilding  Bangladesh, carrying out vital reforms and bringing  back stolen assets to Bangladesh.

The recent visit of a high-profile US delegation to Bangladesh and successfully holding meetings with the head of the interim government and different stakeholders concerned primarily shows Washington's commitment to Dhaka to reach the bilateral relations to a new height at the political and economic levels, said diplomats, policy makers and business leaders.

Meanwhile, the recent visit of a high-profile US delegation to Bangladesh and successfully holding meetings with the head of the interim government and different stakeholders concerned primarily shows Washington's commitment to Dhaka to reach the bilateral relations to a new height at the political and economic levels, said diplomats, policy makers and business leaders.

The relations between the USA and Bangladesh suffered heavily during the previous regime when the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina showed blind eye to Washington’s prescription of transparent, credible and reliable parliament election, upholding human and labour rights and healthy relations among the political parties.

Sources in Dhaka and Washington said USA’s political commitment to Bangladesh is very crucial and important as India, the neighboring country, has been deeply upset by the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, its most reliable ally and partner in the region.

Bangladesh suffered heavily after the independence when Washington-Dhaka relations reached a low in the post-cold war era leading to starvation in 1974. The history says that during British rule, starvation caused deaths of several lakh people in undivided Bengal and after that in post-independent Bangladesh, several lakh Bangladeshis also lost their lives in starvation.

Sources however said that Bangladesh is unlikely to get back GSP privilege in the USA market or new and major USA investment in Bangladesh is unlikely to come in the short term unless necessary political and economic reforms are carried out by the interim government.

Former dictator Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on several occasions in parliament and after quitting power complained that the USA proposed to her  in setting up a military in Saint Martin's island . As Sheikh Hasina denied the USA proposal, Washington prepared a master plan to oust her.

The US Department of State has rejected all allegations in regard to taking over Saint Martin's Island in Bangladesh.

Former dictator  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, without taking any name, said she will not resort to selling any national assets or compromising the country's sovereignty to stay in power.

Major General (retd)  Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury while talking to the Dazzling Dawn said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s claim of US interest in setting up a military in Saint Martin's island is baseless. He said the US has military bases in KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines that can cover the USA interest in the whole Indian ocean. The existing location and environment in Saint Martin's Island are not conducive to setting up a military base, other Bangladesh would have set up its military base in the island. Even the neighbouring country will not allow the setting up of a US military in Saint Martin's Island.

To a question, a former senior Bangladesh diplomat who worked in Washington DC said that the USA directly gives cash support to Israel and Egypt in the world.   Bangladesh has been experiencing dollar crisis since 2021 as the previous Awami League leaders in convenience with some businessmen siphoned off billions of US dollars creating economic crisis in Bangladesh 

The United States of America is a trusted development partner of Bangladesh since 1972. Under an umbrella agreement titled "Economic Technical and Related Assistance" which was signed in 1974, USA has contributed more than $8 billion till today in different sectors like democracy and governance; food security; health and education; global climate change.

The USA provides most of its development assistance through USAID, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and some other government and non- government organizations.

Meanwhile, the American Chamber of Commerce leaders at a breakfast meeting with Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman at the residence of US Embassy Charge d' Affaires (Cd’A) Helen LaFave mentioned that dollar crisis, port congestion, backdated customs law, security concern and energy crisis stand in the way of bringing in new US investment in Bangladesh.

Former Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Humayun Kabir said in an interview with The Business standard that the development of the US-Bangladesh relations, in my opinion, is positive. The reason is that, at this moment, our needs and their commitment to cooperation are aligned, which brings us a sense of relief.

In addition to addressing the General Assembly on September 24, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s travel to New York City.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is scheduled to arrive here on Monday night (NY Time) to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a packed pre-scheduled meetings with global leaders on the sidelines.

Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith and CDA of The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C. Salahuddin Mahmud will receive him at JFK International Airport upon his arrival by a commercial flight at 22:30pm (local time).

The chief adviser will address the General Debate of the UNGA on September 27.

The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate already described the challenges facing the interim government to the US delegation in Dhaka recently, saying his administration has moved quickly to "reset, reform, and restart" the economy, initiate reforms in financial sectors, and fix institutions such as the judiciary and police.

The chief adviser sought the assistance when a high-powered US delegation met him at the state guesthouse Jamuna.

The US delegation affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.

"As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts," said the US side, after a meeting held at state guesthouse Jamuna.

Prof Yunus has a series of high-profile meetings lined up on the sidelines of the UNGA.

According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain the chief adviser will meet with leaders including the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal, as well as the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator.

The foreign adviser said many meeting decisions are made at the last minute during this time.

“New meetings may be added to that consideration; again, due to lack of time, any meeting may be omitted.”

Prof Yunus is also likely to have meetings with the President of Italy and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.

On September 24, Prof Yunus will attend a welcome reception to be hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the Heads of Delegation.

He will attend the inaugural session of the 79th UNGA. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah will accompany the chief adviser.

Yunus will also attend a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis.

Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi is scheduled to call on the chief adviser.

The chief adviser will also attend a high-level side event – ‘Meet the Friends of Bangladesh’.

There will be a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations which will be hosted by Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The foreign adviser, however, said he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines.