US wants free and fair election process in Bangladesh: Uzra

"US wants a peaceful, free and fair election process" in Bangladesh, said US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya.

She made her country’s stand clear to diplomatic correspondent of the Hindustan Times before leaving New Delhi for Dhaka on Tuesday.

The transcript is now available with this correspondent.

Asked about meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra  she said ,"Certainly, I think you know we share a convergent approach and that with our Indian friends, through new groupings such as the Quad to support a free and open Indo-Pacific that is more prosperous, more secure, more connected, more inclusive, more resilient.”

However, US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya refused to disclose details of the meeting.

“I can't go into too much detail on our diplomatic discussions, but certainly this is integral to regional peace and security and stability, another shared vocation for both of our governments. I'm very pleased to be proceeding to Dhaka immediately after Delhi. In fact, I will be leaving later this afternoon and we look forward to robust discussions with the government on a host of issues, humanitarian cooperation, the elections process."

She continued to say “I think our hope for a peaceful, free and fair election process. As well as you know, the nexus between Bangladesh’s economic progress and prosperity, which has been the subject of a very substantial and multi-decade development partnership and the critical role of  respect for labour rights and freedom of association towards achieving Bangladesh's ambitions.”

Justifying the new visa policy about the Bangladeshis, she candidly said

"Well, I would refer you to the public announcement that our department spokesman made on a new visa sanction authority that is absolutely intended to support free and fair elections, which I think are critical for every democracy and are essential for democracies to be able to thrive."