US lauds Dr Yunus' approach towards Rohingya issue

The United States has appreciated Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus' vision of looking at the Rohingya issue not in isolation but in the context of Myanmar as a whole.

The US also expressed deep appreciation for the generosity of Bangladesh by hosting 1.2 million Rohingyas and thanked the leadership of Dr Yunus for making progress on this issue.

"We appreciate your vision of looking at the Rohingya issue not in isolation but in the context of Myanmar as a whole," US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) Nicole Ann Chulick told Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Thursday.

The visiting US delegation called on the Chief Adviser at his official residence state guesthouse Jamuna and expressed support for the reform agenda of the Interim Government.

Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Andrew R Herrup was also part of the US delegation.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the head of US mission in Dhaka Tracey Ann Jacobson were present at the meeting.

They also discussed regional issues of peace, security, and development, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing.

The Chief Adviser termed the recent identification by Myanmar government of 180,000 Rohingyas as fit for return to Rakhine as an important progress.

The US officials also appreciated the Chief Adviser’s approach to enhance regional cooperation, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts.

Dr Yunus underlined the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the commitment of the interim government to work closely with the Trump administration on the entire range of bilateral relations.

He thanked the US President Donald J. Trump for resuming aid for the Rohingyas and ninety-day pause in the application of reciprocal tariffs.

"We are continuing our work to support his trade agenda," Dr Yunus said.

Regional Peace, Security

The visiting US delegation also met with National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Thursday.

In an hour-long meeting, they discussed major regional issues of peace and security and key aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and US.

They also discussed the Rohingya issue and the situation in Myanmar at length.

The US delegation expressed appreciation for the approach of Bangladesh to address the issue, reports UNB.