US wants deep commercial relations with Bangladesh

The United States has once again raised questions over Bangladesh’s election, this time condemning the violence surrounding the polls. The country has urged all political parties to refrain from violence.

Earlier in the statement, the US State Department said that the country will maintain its partnership with Bangladesh on various issues, including trade.

BNP chose the path of violence to prevent the election of Bangladesh. Common people lost their lives in the fire set on public buses and trains. The United States once again condemned and expressed concerns over such violence. In a briefing, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller urged all parties to refrain from violence.

He said, “We are now encouraging the Government of Bangladesh to credibly and transparently investigate the reports of violence, to hold perpetrators accountable, and we all urge all parties to reject political violence.”

In response to a question from Begum Khaleda Zia's former assistant press secretary, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari, Miller spoke about election transparency.

He said, “We share the view with other observers that these elections were not free and fair. We regret that not all parties participated.”

While citing ‘other observers’ in his comments, Miller could not name a specific country.

Earlier in a post-election statement, the US said that the country will maintain its partnership with Bangladesh to keep the Indo-Pacific region free and open. The statement also expressed a commitment to deepen commercial relations with Bangladesh.