US, India, Bangladesh on ‘same page’ in fight against extremism

The United States, India and Bangladesh are the on the “same page” in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, the US ambassador in Dhaka has said.

Marcia Bernicat told waiting journalists after her meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque on Monday that all three countries would work together in fighting extremism.

“Absolutely we are on the same page (on the issue),” she said.

Her comment came just days before the arrival of Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

Officials at the foreign ministry told bdnews24.com that Jaishankar would come to Dhaka on May 11 on a two-day visit.

The US ambassador said she met the foreign secretary ahead of a US delegation visit next week.

The deputy of the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Nisha Desai Biswal would lead a delegation to Dhaka, week after her another round of visit.

Biswal’s visit followed the killing an USAID staff Xulhaz Mannan who was a LGBT activist in Bangladesh.

The Islamic State and Al-Qaida have been reportedly claiming responsibility for the murders of secular bloggers, teachers and online activists since Sep last year.

Bangladesh has denied those claims, saying the killers are “home-grown” extremists.

Biswal, during her meetings with government officials, said they might have links with the international terrorists group.

She also met new Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla and discussed security issues.

Asked, Ambassador Bernicat said Biswal met Shringla as she oversaw South Asia in her capacity in the state department.

She said the meeting gave her the chance to discuss issues with the new high commissioner for the first time.