Biswal sits with 3 diplomats to discuss security

Asma Khandaker :  Nisa Desai BiswalVisiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal had a meeting with diplomats from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada on Monday morning to discuss the current situation in Bangladesh after back-to-back attacks on Dhaka café and Sholakia in Kishorganj district.

The meeting was held at the residence of US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat. It lasted over an hour and focused on security issues,

The High Commissioners of the three countries came out from Bernicat’s residence at 9:45pm after the meeting, said a diplomatic source.Bernicat and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Manpreet Anand were also present at the meeting.

Biswal will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 5pm today (Monday) after her meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at 3pm, officials at Prime Minister’s Office and Secretariat confirmed.

The US official is also expected to meet Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi.On Sunday, she met Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque at state guesthouse Padma and discussed Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with the United States and the security situation.

On Sunday evening, Biswal had a long meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla.Biswal arrived here on Sunday morning on a two-day visit.

She had visited Dhaka on 5 and 6 May last after the brutal murder of USAID staff Xulhaz Mannan in Dhaka on 25 April.Twenty-two people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian national and two policemen were killed inside and outside the café during the attack on 1 July.

Later on the morning of on 2 July, six people along with five attackers were also killed during a commando operation. Thirteen of the hostages were rescued alive in the operation.

On Thursday last, at least four people, including two policemen, were killed and 12 others injured in a bomb attack coupled with an exchange of gunfire after terrorists attacked a temporary police check post near Sholakia Eidgah in Sadar upazila of Kishoreganj.