Staff Correspondent

The Ambassador of the United States to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Water Resources, Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, MP on Wednesday.

The meeting, held at the minister's office room within the Ministry of Water Resources, saw both dignitaries discuss a wide range of bilateral issues and matters of mutual strategic interest.

During the meeting, the Water Resources Minister underlined the deeply rooted and robust diplomatic ties shared between Bangladesh and the United States. He called for scaling up American institutional investments in Bangladesh, particularly in fields such as education, technological cooperation, vocational training, and specialized research. Minister Annie also requested the United States to sustain its historic contribution toward the socio-economic advancement of Bangladesh.

The minister further noted that the current government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, has completed just three months in office. He highlighted that in accordance with the government's electoral pledges to fulfill the long-standing expectations of the people in the country's southwestern and northwestern regions, the Padma Barrage Project has already been approved. He also expressed optimism that the Teesta Master Plan would be approved shortly upon the completion of necessary examinations and feasibility studies.

Ambassador Christensen remarked that the assumption of office by an elected government would consistently accelerate the economic growth of Bangladesh. He expressed his commitment that the United States would continue its past role in supporting Bangladesh to consolidate democracy, protect human rights, and drive socio-economic development.

The bilateral meeting was attended among others by the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. A. K. M. Shahabuddin; the Chief of the Economic Section at the US Embassy, Mike Pennell; and Political and Economic Officer, Charles Besnard.