U.S. - Bangladesh Relations

At a press conference inaugurating his tenure as the thirteenth U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr. James Moriarty noted that "promoting democracy, ensuring development, and denying space to terrorism are the key challenges.

The United States, he said, "will remain a close partner to the people of Bangladesh in each of these areas." Mr. Moriarty expressed admiration for "the achievements of the Bangladeshi people who fought for decades to win the right to govern themselves and control their own destiny."

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Via VOA-News

Bangladesh: A Nuclear-Dream

Bangladesh is heading towards the path of becoming the third nuclear nation in South Asia. The topic came in discussion during meetings between the Chinese minister Yang Jiechi and Bangladesh's foreign advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
The Chinese minister was on a two-day tour to Bangladesh recently.

The foreign advisor of Bangladesh said, China is a partner and the visit of Chinese minister would further strengthen this relationship.

´Our friendship is rooted in history, but like all relationships, ties between nations also have to be renewed and reinvigorated from time to time, and this visit was an occasion to do just that,´ the foreign adviser stated.

The Chinese foreign minister said, military cooperation is an important part of the overall bilateral relation between Bangladesh and China. Jiechi, who also met the army chief, General Moeen U Ahmed, made the remarks to journalists.

Via American Chronicle

Bangladesh: A Change of Policy

Bangladeshi Foreign Affairs Adviser, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has said, the country needs to re-adjust its foreign-policy as a new era begins in Asia.

He said Asia is progressing fast in an unprecedented speed. So, the policies of Bangladesh need to be realigned with the global changes. Otherwise, the country would lag behind, a foreign office press release quoted him as saying.

Iftekhar said: "Perhaps, we do not realize that there is more reverse transfer of resources to those developed countries, who buy from us. We pay many times more in duties to them, than we receive in aid."

On the other hand, it is the booming economies of Asia that might help shape the future of Bangladesh. Power players of contemporary times are China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, India and Gulf states, he added.

Via Xinhua

India ready to open

Addressing a gathering of parliamentarians from eight Saarc countries in India, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee underlined the need for the revival of intra-region connectivity to enable South Asia to emerge as a economic power house.

Referring to South Asia Free Trade Area and Saarc Development Fund, he said these can create opportunities for exploiting synergies based on comparative advantages, intra-regional trade and cross-border infrastructure projects.

News via Financial Express