Bangladesh FM Mahmood Ali hosts lunch for Kerry

The US State Department says Secretary John Kerry has attended a lunch hosted by Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali during his Dhaka visit.

He left for New Delhi after 5.30pm ending an eight-hour whirlwind tour.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Law Minister Anisul Huq, and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal joined the luncheon.

"They discussed the longstanding and broad US-Bangladesh relationship and our cooperation on global issues, such as international peacekeeping, counterterrorism and climate change,” the State Department said in a statement.

Kerry recognised Bangladesh’s “notable accomplishments in achieving inclusive economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving maternal and child health”.

He offered his condolences for deaths of Bangladeshi in the recent terrorist attacks and pledged strong US support to continue combating the threat.

He emphasised the importance of upholding human rights and democratic values as effective measures in counterterrorism and tackling violent extremism efforts, according to the statement.