PM Sheikh Hasina invites US President Donald Trump to Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump has said he ‘hopes to visit’ Bangladesh, after he was invited by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to a top official.

The two leaders met at the Arab Islamic American Summit held at Abdulaziz Conference Centre in Riyadh on Sunday, said Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque.

“President Donald Trump met and exchanged greetings with the prime minister. The prime minister has invited him to visit Bangladesh. The president has said he ‘hopes’ to make the trip,” Haque told reporters after the meeting.

The visit to Saudi Arabia is Trump’s first foreign trip since taking office in January. It is also his first meeting with Hasina.

Hasina joined the Arab Islamic American Summit, together with Trump and leaders from the Muslim-majority countries.

Hasina was greeted by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the conference centre. The Saudi king also hosted a luncheon for the world leaders. The summit began in the evening.

During his speech, President Trump called on Arab leaders to do their ‘fair share’ to ‘drive out’ Islamist extremism.

Trump also encouraged the establishment of new partnerships to end extremism and strengthen security and stability.

The president said the battle was a ‘war between good and evil’ rather than a ‘clash of civilisations’.

On the alliance of Muslim countries led by Saudi Arabia, Foreign Secretary Haque said: "The alliance has military and political dimensions. Our participation is on the political aspect for now.”

“The foreign minister has already explained the circumstances under which we would send troops to the Muslim countries. We will send troops to protect the two holy places (Mecca and Medina) if they are under threat.”

In her written statement, Hasina called for an end to the supply of arms and funds to the militant groups to curb global terrorism.

She urged the leaders of Arab and Muslim-majority countries to avoid using Islam in defining terrorism.

During breaks in the conference, Hasina met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon for bilateral talks.

After the conference, Hasina joined the inauguration of Global Centre for Combating Extremist Thought, established as a result of international cooperation in facing the extreme ideology leading to terrorism.