US welcomes BD-India deals during Modi\\\'s visit

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Eileen O'Connor welcomed on Monday the deals signed between Bangladesh and India during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

She said the United States always looks at relationship among countries positively for regional economic development. "We look very positively at all agreements signed between India and Bangladesh," Eileen O'Connor said appreciating it as a sign of vibrant cooperation between Bangladesh with India just like the United States.

The visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary made the comment while replying to a question at a press meet with a group of journalists in Dhaka.Ms Connor said the US has been promoting a much more integrated region throughout South Asia and Central Asia because of its shift towards Asia.

"We share the enthusiasm with Bangladesh for greater cooperation in trade and commerce and greater exchanges of people and ideas," the deputy assistant secretary said.

She termed ratification of the land boundary agreement a 'landmark' one and said the US sees it like Bangladesh as a model for economic growth for the entire region.

She said for the US, 'greater connectivity' in any form is better for a country to develop. It also helps a region to be stable with more prosperity, education and jobs.The US official arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a three-day visit ahead of a regional conference on counter violent extremism to be held in Astana of Kazakhstan on June 29-30.

    smunima@yahoo.com