Senior US diplomat Nisha Desai Biswal today met top Bangladeshi officials as well as Dhaka-based diplomats including the Indian High Commissioner and discussed the security situation in the country following two high- profile terror attacks in the Muslim-majority nation.
Biswal, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, also visited the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave where terrorists killed 22 people including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian and an American citizen of Bangladesh origin on July 1.
The US point person for South Asia, stayed there for around 20 minutes amid police barricade surrounding the area.
The radical Islamic State (IS) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack on the popular eatery, which is frequented by foreigners. The second terror attack targeted the country's biggest Eid gathering at Sholakia in northern Kishoreganj district.
Biswal is visiting Dhaka following the two high-profile attacks and has offered Washington's support to build Bangladesh's capabilities in countering terrorism.
She is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Earlier, she met Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, and Dhaka-based diplomats including the Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla, among others, to discuss security issues, BDNews24.Com reported.
US Secretary of State John Kerry had last week phoned Prime Minister Hasina and "encouraged" her government to conduct its investigation in accordance with the highest international standards and offered immediate assistance from US law enforcement, including the FBI.
Italy and Japan have also decided to conduct coordinated diplomatic and intelligence operations in Bangladesh, the report said.
The ISIS and al-Qaeda in Indian Peninsula have claimed responsibility for some of the other attacks on Hindu priests, Christians and secular activists. However, the government denies the presence of ISIS or al-Qaeda in Bangladesh.
Police last month launched a nationwide anti-militancy week-long crackdown to halt these deadly attacks.
REOPENS FGN 20
Meanwhile, Bangladesh today responded cautiously to the US proposal for providing security assistance to the country in combating Islamist militancy saying the government would assess areas of requirement for possible American support.
"The United States has offered us expert assistance to enhance our capability to control terrorism," home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said after US assistant secretary of state Nisha Desai Biswal called on him here.
He added "We will assess what help we need. Then we will let them (US) know".
Biswal arrived yesterday as a special US envoy after the deadly terrorist attack on July 1 on a restaurant that killed 20 foreigners including an Indian and an American national.
"I am here to offer US assistance and support for Bangladesh's own effort against terrorism and violent extremism," she said while lauding Bangladesh's efforts in tackling extremism.
She underscored the US' "broad-based" understanding with Bangladesh and added that her country's support is an "extension of long and deep partnership based on shared values of democracy, tolerance and inclusion".
Biswal also met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's security adviser Tarek Siddiqui.
