US wants to see Dhaka-Delhi friendly ties

Washington wants to see friendly relations between Bangladesh and India as partners to combat terrorism, US Assistant Secretary Nisha Desai Biswal has said, reports bdnews24.com.
She made the remarks at a discussion in New Jersey Wednesday.
The US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia visited Bangladesh last year ahead of January 5 elections to try to broker peace among the bickering political parties.
But her initiative failed. After holding the election boycotted by the BNP, the Awami League formed government for the second successive term.
The US questioned the acceptability of the January 5 polls. India, on the other hand, endorsed the election saying that it was necessary to hold the election for continuance of democracy in Bangladesh.
After the BJP came to power in India defeating the Congress in the election, many feared that Bangladesh-India relation would deteriorate. Congress was in power during the January 5 elections.
But the Narendra Modi government has shown a positive attitude towards the Awami League government.
Nisa Biswal attended the discussion on the US policy on the new Indian government organised by Federation of Indian Associations.
Replying to a query from bdnews24.com, Biswal said they believed Bangladesh's bilateral relation with India's new government would continue to be the same.
She referred to Modi's efforts to develop relations with neighbouring countries to ensure regional security.
Modi invited the leaders of the neighbouring countries during his oath-taking ceremony reflecting his interest in forming closer ties with them, Biswal said.
She said like India, Bangladesh was also a partner of the US in eradicating terrorism.
Biswal said they hoped Bangladesh's relation with India would be strengthened furthering the interest of ensuring peace in the South Asia.
US Senator Robert Menendez, who was also present at the discussion, said India played a pivotal role in flourishing democracy among South Asian countries and the country could lead to forming a democratic institution in real sense.
Biswal said India's role was crucial in maintaining stability in the South Asia.
She said for Bangladesh's economic progress, the US wanted to continue its assistance to Dhaka.
She also promised to assist Bangladesh in ensuring workers' safety and employment.