National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman met with US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker at the State Department on Friday to request an easing of travel restrictions for Bangladeshi businesspeople following the implementation of the new US visa bond policy.

Khalilur Rahman specifically advocated for an exemption for B1 short-term business visa applicants from the bond requirement, a move the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing stated would facilitate essential trade and economic cooperation.

In response, Under-Secretary Hooker acknowledged the importance of the issue and assured that the US government would give the request positive consideration, noting that the bond requirements—recently applied to several countries to curb overstays—could be reviewed if tourist overstay rates decline substantially in the future.

Hooker also expressed deep appreciation for Bangladesh’s continued cooperation regarding the return of undocumented nationals.

The high-level meeting covered a broad spectrum of bilateral interests, including preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections scheduled for February.

Hooker reiterated the US’s strong support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and its commitment to ensuring free and fair polls.

On the economic front, Khalilur Rahman highlighted the potential for increased trade, particularly as Bangladesh ramps up imports of American agricultural products, and requested US consideration for granting the Bangladeshi private sector access to Development Finance Corporation (DFC) financing and funding for semiconductor development.

Additionally, Khalilur expressed Bangladesh’s interest in principle to contribute to an international stabilization force for Gaza, a proposal Hooker welcomed as a significant area for future collaboration.

The discussions also addressed the ongoing Rohingya crisis, with Khalilur thanking the US for its role as the largest donor to the displaced population and requesting sustained assistance.

Hooker commended Bangladesh for the substantial burden it carries by hosting the refugees but underscored the need for wider international burden-sharing and expanded livelihood options for Rohingyas within Bangladesh.

Following a separate meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur on similar regional and bilateral issues, Dr Rahman attended the swearing-in ceremony of Brent Christensen, the newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh.

During the ceremony, Deputy Secretary of State Michael J. Rigas reaffirmed the US commitment to Bangladesh’s democratic journey, while Ambassador Christensen expressed his enthusiasm for advancing US-Bangladesh relations alongside the country's next elected government.