US President Joe Biden and Bangladesh‘s interim government chief Mohammed Yunus on Wednesday affirmed a “close partnership” between the two countries adding that the US would continue to support Bangladesh.
“Both leaders affirmed the close partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties.President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda,” a White House statement said.
This meeting marks the first time a US President has met with a head of the Bangladesh government on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, according to a press release from the Bangladesh.
“President Biden expressed US government’s full support for Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and his government as they met on the margin of the UNGA,” Yunus said.
Yunus briefed President Biden on the situation in Bangladesh, highlighting the student protests saying how they stood up against the “tyranny of the previous government” and sacrificed their lives to help rebuild the nation.
Additionally, Yunus presented Biden with a copy of the book The Art of Triumph, which features wall paintings created by students during the uprising.
Upon his arrival at the official hotel in New York for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, Bangladesh’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus faced protests from demonstrators chanting “go back.”
The protesters voiced their opposition to Yunus over alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, calling out slogans such as “go back, step down, step down, step down.” They also held up posters declaring “Sheikh Hasina our prime minister.”
