US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen paid a courtesy call on Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the minister’s office at the Ministry of Water Resources, where the two discussed various issues of mutual interest.

The minister said that Bangladesh and the United States enjoy a strong bilateral relationship. He called for increased institutional investment in education, technological cooperation, vocational training, and research between the two countries, according to a press release issued by the ministry. He also requested the continuation of US support for Bangladesh’s socio-economic development.

Annie Chowdhury further said that the current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has completed only three months in office. “In line with its electoral commitments, the government has approved the Padma Barrage Project to fulfil the long-standing expectations of people in the country’s southwestern and northwestern regions,” he noted. The minister also expressed hope that the Teesta Master Plan would be approved soon after the completion of necessary studies, assessments, and surveys.

The ambassador said, “Bangladesh’s economic development would continue to accelerate under the elected government.” He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting the strengthening of democracy, protection of human rights, and socio-economic development in Bangladesh, as it has done in the past.