Feb 12 election should become model for future votes: CA to US ambassador

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the February 12 general elections will serve as a benchmark for all future polls in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks when newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen paid his first courtesy call on the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a range of issues, including the upcoming general elections, sweeping labour laws enacted by the interim government, the proposed Bangladesh–US tariff agreement, and the Rohingya crisis.

The Chief Adviser outlined key foreign policy priorities of the interim government, including Dhaka’s bid for ASEAN membership and efforts to revitalise SAARC as a platform for regional and economic cooperation in South Asia.

Professor Yunus said the government was fully prepared to ensure free, fair and transparent elections on February 12. He noted that the European Union would deploy a large contingent of election observers and expressed hope that other development partners would also send observers.

“It will be a festive election and will set a standard for future polls. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,” he said.

Ambassador Christensen, who arrived in Bangladesh earlier this month, said he looked forward to working with whoever emerges victorious in the February elections.

The US envoy praised the interim government’s reform initiatives and commended Professor Yunus’s leadership over the past 18 months. He also welcomed the newly promulgated labour laws.

Professor Yunus thanked US President Donald Trump for reducing tariffs on Bangladeshi exports and expressed optimism that ongoing trade talks would result in further tariff cuts.

Ambassador Christensen welcomed the progress in trade negotiations, noting that expanded agricultural trade remains a key element of Dhaka–Washington discussions.

The Chief Adviser also lauded the United States for its continued humanitarian assistance to more than one million Rohingya refugees living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic role as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia, Professor Yunus said Dhaka was seeking ASEAN membership and had applied for a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with the bloc.

He added that he had made sustained efforts over the past 18 months to revive SAARC to enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation, expressing hope that the next government would continue the initiative.

The meeting also touched on recent US visa restrictions imposed on 75 countries, including Bangladesh.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed were also present.