FS to attend US anti-extremism summit

Foreign Secretary (FS) M Shahidul Haque will visit the United States (US) to attend an international summit on countering violent extremism to be held on February 18, said an official at the foreign ministry, reports UNB.
US Secretary of State John Kerry extended the invitation to Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, while Bangladesh is also keen to host a return visit by Secretary Kerry at a 'mutually convenient' time, said the official.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Bangladesh from February 19-22, for which it is understood the foreign minister will be staying back in Dhaka, and so the foreign secretary will lead the Bangladesh delegation to the summit.
The White House will host the summit on Countering Violent Extremism on February 18 to highlight domestic and international efforts to prevent violent extremists, according to a White House statement.
The ministerial segment of the 'White House Countering Violent Extremism Summit' will be held on February 19.
The conference is planned for inspiring individuals or groups in the United States and abroad against acts of violence, efforts made even more imperative in light of recent, tragic attacks in Ottawa, Sydney, and Paris.