As Bangladesh nears to the national election, the US seems to be apparently more and keener on getting briefed on the political landscape.
Officials are regularly meeting local politicians and civil society members to get briefed on the political scenario.
The US wants to know from the government about the preparation for the polls while trying to get an idea on the opposition’s mindset, sources say.
On Monday, an Awami League delegation led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader went to the US envoy’s residence.
“We have always said if the US comes forward to help us we are ready to work with them,” AL Advisory Council member Muhammad Zamir, who was a part of the delegation, told Bangla Tribune.
Washington has always cooperated on ensuring transparency and accountability — the two core components of good governance, he said.
“Those who cooperate with us can ask us question, which ensures accountability. We are not afraid of facing questions,” added the retired diplomat.
“We want the world to know that the people of Bangladesh are united to take the country forward,” said Zamir, a former ambassador.
Asked on usual contents of discussion between politicians and US diplomats, analyst Debapriya Bhattacharya says it usually centres on security and political stability “nowadays”.
“They want to know about the polls from the government and are keen on getting an idea of what the opposition is thinking,” said Bhattacharya, the distinguished fellow of private think-tank Centre for Policy Dialogue.
According to him, the prime concern of the US is whether the polls will be free, fair and all-inclusive.
“What they want to know from the opposition is, whether they are participating and feels that the atmosphere is congenial,” said Bhattacharya.
At the US envoy’s residence on Monday, Awami League leader Obaidul Quader and Ambassador Marcia Bernicat had a five-minute one-to-one discussion, according to people who attended the dinner.
As the national polls near, Dhaka-based diplomats, including from the US, the UK, EU and even China, are regularly meeting with politicians.
In March, the US National Security Council’s Senior Director for South Asia Lisa Curtis met with BNP leaders during her Dhaka visit.
A delegation led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had a meeting with Curtis, a deputy assistant to the US president advising on South and Central Asia.