Foreign adviser says US wants parliamentary elections to be held without delay

The United States has reiterated its firm support for the interim government’s ongoing reform efforts and stressed the need for holding the next general election at the earliest possible time.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain shared the update during a regular press briefing at his ministry office in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.

He said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday, during which both sides expressed optimism about promptly holding the upcoming national election.

“I was present with the Chief Adviser during the call, and the atmosphere was excellent,” Touhid recounted. “They discussed the United States' support for the reform agenda. At one point, both sides emphasised the urgency of holding the general election without delay.”

In response to a question, Touhid said the election issue was being discussed with sincerity, and the Chief Adviser had assured the US side of his commitment to holding the polls on time.

Regarding US tariff policies, the adviser said that the government’s commerce and national security advisers were currently in Washington for discussions on the matter.

“We hope the meetings will lead to a mutually respectful understanding that serves the greater interest of our trade and commerce,” he added.

Rubio’s phone call to Yunus took place at 7:30 pm on Monday and lasted 15 minutes. They discussed a range of bilateral issues, including trade negotiations, democratic transition, electoral timelines, reforms, and continued US aid for Rohingya refugees.

Rubio reaffirmed US support for Bangladesh’s reform agenda and its efforts to hold elections by early next year.

Noting that the US is Bangladesh’s largest export market and a key source of remittances, both sides voiced hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing tariff talks, which could open doors to expanded trade.

Professor Yunus also mentioned that his National Security Adviser had recently held a productive meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington, underscoring both nations’ commitment to deepening bilateral relations.