RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken

Bangladesh

UNB
05 April, 2022, 07:15 pm
Last modified: 05 April, 2022, 07:30 pm

Related News

  • No specific threats detected ahead of Eid-ul-Adha: RAB
  • Man detained with licenced revolver in connection with Savar painter’s murder
  • RAB-7 senior official reportedly dies by suicide in Chattogram
  • ICT starts probe over alleged extrajudicial killings by RAB in Teknaf
  • Protest erupts in Barishal demanding justice over killing of college student by RAB in reported gunfight

RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken

Blinken, Momen agree to enhance bilateral ties for next 50 years

UNB
05 April, 2022, 07:15 pm
Last modified: 05 April, 2022, 07:30 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has recognised the elite force RAB's important counterterrorism role, but stated that lifting sanctions and resuming training with American forces may take time. 

During his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the US State Department on Monday, Secretary Blinken appreciated that Bangladesh is reexamining the Digital Security Act (DSA).

Regarding the human rights related issues, both sides stressed upon the fact that there are some noticeable developments in the last four months. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Foreign Minister Momen emphasised that Bangladeshi law enforcers need training from the US on rules of engagement, and informed that there is an inbuilt system of inquiry in the RAB, which tracks all allegations, based on which a number of personnel have been penalized. 

Depicting the context of the creation of RAB in 2004, he underscored that RAB has played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's counter-terrorism efforts, which may be undermined by the sanctions.

Momen also sought the US Secretary of State's attention and assistance for realising the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is residing in the US.

Appreciating ongoing works of the tripartite group on labour rights, he underscored that labour rights is an important determinant of Biden Administration's foreign policy. 

Noting that Bangladesh is not getting development finance due to the labour rights issues, he stressed upon resolving all the impediments. 

He positively responded to the proposal of deepening maritime cooperation as two countries have the shared goal of a free and secure Indo-Pacific. 

Both sides discussed the whole gamut of US-Bangladesh bilateral relations. 

Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked the United States for providing more than 61 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine so far, the highest received by any country from the US.

Referring to the congratulatory letter from US President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he appreciated that the warmth of the message. 

Stating that Bangladesh has made huge socio-economic progress in last 50 years, Foreign Minister Momen termed the US as an all-time friend of Bangladesh in its journey towards development as the largest trading partner as well as the largest investor in accumulated term. 

He appreciated that the US has finally determined that genocide took place in Myanmar in 2017, and opined that the US should suspend GSP and reimpose sanctions on Myanmar in order to put pressure so that Myanmar resolves the crisis.

He opined that the US needs to diversify investment portfolio, and can consider investing in the infrastructure sector in Bangladesh. 

Momen depicted Bangladesh's potential in terms of young population including around 700,000 IT professionals; and also proposed that there may be joint investment proposals in pharmaceutical sectors. 

He also urged for assistance from the US in developing blue economy, opining that this may enable two countries to work together in building a secure Indo-Pacific region. 

US Secretary of State Blinken underscored also on looking forward for next 50 years, with tremendous potentials. 

He appreciated Bangladesh's leadership in climate actions, generosity towards the Rohingyas, and role in the UN Peacekeeping Mission. 

Blinken also expressed satisfaction about the cooperation two countries are having in combatting the pandemic. 

He expressed his satisfaction about the Partnership Dialogue held last month and the upcoming Security Dialogue, and opined that a new momentum has been created. He also thanked Bangladesh for voting in favour of the humanitarian resolution on Ukraine in the UN General Assembly.

On labour rights issues, Foreign Minister Momen informed that Bangladesh has formulated a roadmap with the ILO and the EU, and sought for US participation in the process. 

He also underscored that Bangladesh has done a lot on the safety, resulting that seven of the top 10 eco-friendly factories are in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Momen, during the meeting, declared Bangladesh's acceptance of US proposal to deploy Peace Corps in Bangladesh again. 

He also requested Secretary Blinken's assistance in expediting the matter of opening Dhaka-New York direct flight. 

Bangladesh Foreign Minister underscored briefed US Secretary of State on Bhasan Char and requested US assistance for the Rohingyas there. 

He also underscored the fact that Bangladesh is still a young democracy compared to the US, and wishes work closely with the US in further strengthening the democratic process. 

Foreign Minister Momen invited Secretary Blinken to visit Bangladesh in near future. 

Earlier, Foreign Minister Momen met USAID Administrator Samantha Power. 

During the meeting, both sides discussed about issues of mutual concern. 

Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked the USAID administrator for agreeing to his request to assist in the project of strengthening the coastal embankments in Bangladesh.

Mentionable, a joint feasibility study by the USAID and Bangladesh government on this would commence soon. 

The USAID administrator emphasised that Bangladesh should resolve outstanding labour issues to become eligible for the development finance from the DFC. 

In this regard, Foreign Minister Momen emphasised on the implementation of the Roadmap undertaken with ILO and EU. 

He also emphasised on a stronger consultative mechanism between Bangladesh government and the USAID on how funds are disbursed. 

He requested USAID's assistance in establishing forensic labs in Bangladesh, so that litigation time of pending cases reduce.

Two sides also discussed in details the political and humanitarian aspects of the Rohingya crisis, and administrator power assured of continued US assistance. 

Regarding Bhasan Char, Foreign Minister Momen requested the US to join the humanitarian assistance there. 

They also discussed on the climate change cooperation and on possible adverse effect of Ukraine crisis. 

Bangladesh Foreign Minister also met US Senator Chris Van Hollen, President of National Democratic Institute (NDI) Ambassador Derek Mitchell, and Director of New Lines Institute Azeem Ibrahim. 

He also attended, as the chief guest, in the reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. 

USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman was the guest of honour. 

She had a separate bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen before the reception. 

During the meeting, Foreign Secretary Momen requested for more US cooperation in combatting human trafficking and illegal migration, as well in in agricultural sector. 

They also discussed the Rohingya issue in details.   

Top News / Law & order

RAB / Secretary of state Antony Blinken / Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on 10 June 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    Fakhrul urges interim govt to rethink about April election timing
  • A passerby walks near a building on fire at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
    Russia launches one of war's largest air attacks on Kyiv
  • Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu. Photo: Collected
    Elected govt essential to ensure investors' security: BGMEA president

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • A photo showing the former president on his return to Dhaka today (9 June). 
Source: Collected
    Former president Abdul Hamid returns to Bangladesh from Thailand
  • File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar
    Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • Inside the aid ship stormed by Israeli forces on 9 June 2025. Photo: BBC
    Israeli forces stormed aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg bound for Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases
    Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases

Related News

  • No specific threats detected ahead of Eid-ul-Adha: RAB
  • Man detained with licenced revolver in connection with Savar painter’s murder
  • RAB-7 senior official reportedly dies by suicide in Chattogram
  • ICT starts probe over alleged extrajudicial killings by RAB in Teknaf
  • Protest erupts in Barishal demanding justice over killing of college student by RAB in reported gunfight

Features

File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

1d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

5d | Panorama
(From left) Sadia Haque, Sylvana Quader Sinha and Tasfia Tasbin. Sketch: TBS

Meet the women driving Bangladesh’s startup revolution

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Prison irregularities will be punished, warns Home Affairs Advisor

Prison irregularities will be punished, warns Home Affairs Advisor

Now | TBS Today
What's the problem with elections in April? What BNP says

What's the problem with elections in April? What BNP says

1h | TBS Today
Tarique to meet CA Yunus in London on Friday, confirms Fakhrul

Tarique to meet CA Yunus in London on Friday, confirms Fakhrul

2h | TBS Today
Israel has taken the aid ship 'Madeleine' to its port

Israel has taken the aid ship 'Madeleine' to its port

3h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net