US for greater political inclusion in BD

Appreciating Bangladesh's achievements in various areas, the United States (US) has said it has kept pressing Bangladesh for a greater political inclusion to ensure a more stable and prosperous future. "In Bangladesh, we continue to press for greater political inclusion, without which, a more stable and prosperous future is put at risk," said US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Desai Biswal. She made the remark while addressing a programme titled ‘US Foreign Policy in South Asia: A Vision for Prosperity and Security’ at the Harvard University in Boston on Wednesday, according to the US Department of State. Biswal said one must acknowledge the important gains Bangladesh has made in improving the health, food security and economic opportunity for its citizens. She said over the past 20 years, USAID has contributed to a reduction in under-five mortality by 60 per cent in the country. “Bangladesh is the only country where we’re implementing all three of President Obama’s development initiatives – on health, food security, and climate change – and with US assistance Bangladesh is one of the few countries on track to achieve its Millennium Development Goals related to child and maternal mortality,” she said. Biswal mentioned that Bangladesh, in particular, stands to develop tremendous commercial ties with the rest of Asia and has begun to break down trade barriers with India, according to UNB.