Beijing: Leaving behind diplomatic drama over a Chinese dissident, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced a fresh test on Saturday as she moves on to Bangladesh where the disappearance of an opposition leader has fueled growing tensions.
Clinton will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her opposition rival, Begum Khaleda Zia, following her arrival late on Saturday, and will also pay a call on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose removal from the pioneering micro-lender Grameen Bank has been criticized by Washington.
A senior State Department official said Clinton’s visit would highlight growing cooperation between Washington and Dhaka on everything from counter-terrorism and UN peacekeeping to global health and food security.
“Her visit is an opportunity to show Bangladesh’s government and 160 million citizens that America is truly Bangladesh’s partner,” the official said.
But the trip will also likely put fresh focus on the Obama administration’s commitment to human rights after the standoff in Beijing over activist Chen Guangcheng, whose flight to the US embassy after escaping house arrest overshadowed Clinton’s three days of meetings in Beijing.
China on Friday announced that Chen would be allowed to apply to study in the United States – a move praised by Clinton – but critics have accused U.S. diplomats of mishandling the situation and failing to do enough to shield him from Chinese government persecution.
Clinton will be the first senior official to visit Bangladesh since 2004, and U.S. officials depict the trip as part of a broad “pivot” to greater engagement across the Asia-Pacific region.
She will conclude the trip with visits to the Indian cities of Kolkata and New Delhi early next week.