US diplomat stresses support for Bangladesh's democratic transition

A top US diplomat said that it is in the interest of everyone to support a democratic, peaceful, and lawful transition in Bangladesh.

"I think the most important thing is to try to support a democratic, peaceful, lawful transition. I think that's what is in everyone's interest,” Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources said at the Hudson Institute, in response to a question, after he delivered remarks on India-US relationship.

"This is a kind of day-by-day approach as security is hopefully restored, law and order is restored, (along with) basic economic services to the people," Verma said.

In response to a specific question about fresh national elections in Bangladesh, he said it is for the people of that country when they would like to have the polls and how long the interim government would be in place.

Verma said “our role is to be supportive of the people, to provide what kind of support we can on this democratic pathway.”

To a question, he said “attacks, frankly, against any civilians are concerning. We have to take those quite seriously. So, I think it’s a bit too early to tell which direction we’re headed.”

The diplomat said the reason why a high-level State Department team visited Bangladesh recently “was to pledge our support to a peaceful democratic process and transition. I think that is the most important thing right now.”

The team had met chief adviser Mohd Yunus in Dhaka and the US Agency for International Development announced 202.15 million USD assistance for Bangladesh.