The United States has reached out to major political parties in Bangladesh alongside its engagement with the government, as US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur held separate meetings with leaders of several parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, on Thursday.
A BNP delegation met Kapur at the residence of the US ambassador in Dhaka to discuss the party’s policy priorities and its vision for the country’s future.
The delegation included Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nawshad Zamir, Mahbubur Rahman, Nayeba Yusuf, and Dhaka District BNP General Secretary Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury.
Participants described the meeting as cordial and friendly.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said it was natural for US officials to meet different stakeholders following the formation of a new government.
“The government has recently been formed, so it is normal that they would want to understand what is happening in Bangladesh — our policies, the future course of action, and relations with different countries, especially the United States. These issues were discussed,” he said.
Asked whether BNP had prior knowledge of the reciprocal tariff agreement signed between Dhaka and Washington, Khan said the matter could be clarified by the government or the US side.
Earlier in the afternoon, Kapur paid tribute at the graves of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
He was accompanied by US Ambassador Brent T Christensen.
They placed floral wreaths and observed a moment of silence.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami also held a courtesy meeting with Kapur on Thursday morning.
The Jamaat delegation was led by Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of the party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Other members included Assistant Secretary General and Opposition Whip Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan; Central Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan; and Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem, special adviser to the Jamaat Ameer on foreign affairs.
A scheduled meeting between Kapur and leaders of the National Citizen Party was postponed.
According to a notification, the meeting, scheduled for 10:00am on Thursday, was deferred, although no reason was provided.
Former Bangladesh ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmed said such engagements were a routine part of diplomatic practice.
“It is very normal in diplomacy that when a foreign dignitary visits a country, they meet political leaders, members of civil society and the media alongside the host government. It is standard diplomatic protocol,” he said.
He added that such interactions help visiting officials demonstrate that their country maintains relations not only with the government but also with the broader political and social landscape of the host nation.
