US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A Shannon at a meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia discussed the country’s latest political situation, next general election and Rohingya issue on Monday morning.
The 45-minute meeting that began around 10:45 am was held at the BNP chief’s Gulshan office. Just before their departure, a six-member US delegation, led by Shannon, met the BNP chief.
Briefing reporters about the outcome of the meeting, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they mainly discussed the Rohingya issue and Bangladesh’s latest political situation. “We had elaborate and fruitful discussions on the issues.”
Asked whether the next general election came up for discussion, Fakhrul replied in the positive, but said they cannot disclose it. Apart from Fakhrul, BNP chairperson’s advisers Reaz Rahman, Sabihuddin Ahmed, and special secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon were present at the meeting.
Shannon together with a US delegation arrived here on Sunday and joined the US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue. He also discussed the bilateral, regional and global issues, including the Rohingya crisis, with government and non-government officials. Besides, a Canadian parliamentary delegation is scheduled to meet Khaleda at the same venue at 7:30pm today.
