Biden offers full support to Yunus-led interim government

US President Joe Biden has expressed his government’s "full support" to Bangladesh and Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government during his rare one-to-one bilateral meeting with the Bangladesh chief adviser on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Prof Yunus held the meeting with the US president on Tuesday morning (NY time) which is seen as a "rare occasion" and will help take the existing good relations to a new level between the two countries.

During the meeting, Prof Yunus apprised him about how the students rose against the tyranny of the previous government and gave their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh.

The chief adviser stressed that his government must succeed in rebuilding the country and would need US cooperation.

President Biden said if the students could do so much sacrifice for their country, they too should do more, according to the chief adviser's press wing.

Prof Yunus handed over a copy of the Art of Triumph, a book on wall paintings drawn by the students during the revolution, to President Biden during the meeting.

The meeting with the US president reflects growing relations between the two countries, Bangladesh said.

"This is an important day. It is very rare [to see such a meeting] at the UNGA," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.

Bangladesh in any case maintains very good ties with the US and with this meeting, the relationship will reach a new level, he said. "It's good news that the US stands beside Bangladesh in this period of transition."

Bangladesh and the US are working on a number of issues closely including labour sector reforms and the Rohingya crisis.

It is very significant as no US president has held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades in New York, a senior official told UNB.

Although that gives them little time to discuss anything in depth, there is tremendous messaging and symbolism associated with it.

By having this meeting at all, Washington is signalling not just bilaterally or regionally, but to the world at large that it is standing by Bangladesh during the period of upheaval it is going through.

It is not usual for a US president to hold bilateral meetings during the UNGA and Dhaka hopes to see a new strategic partnership emerge from this meeting that will strengthen the ties with the US on all fronts.

Biden is visiting New York City to participate in the 79th session of the UNGA.

In addition to addressing the General Assembly on 24 September, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s trip to New York City.

The US has already affirmed its dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US said it stands ready to support those efforts.

As a head of the government, this is Prof Yunus' first visit to the United States where he will attend the 79th UNGA. It is also his first visit abroad since the formation of the interim government on 8 August.