US President Joe Biden said his country has joined hands with others to save democracy across the globe.

In reply to a letter from Bangladesh Pratidin’s US edition Executive Editor Lavlu Ansar on July 5, he said the world is crossing a critical juncture in change and competition among the superpowers. To face the challenges and protect the national interest, he said his administration is working with allies and partners across the globe.

Earlier, on June 8, six members of the United States Congress called upon the Biden administration to take steps to ensure the Bangladesh government complies with its human rights obligations for holding the upcoming general election in a free and fair manner.

They made the call in a letter written to US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

Six US Congressmen called for urgent actions to stop the "human rights abuses" by the Bangladesh government and "give the people of Bangladesh the best possible chance for free and fair parliamentary elections". 

Last month, Lavlu Ansar wrote a letter to President Joe Biden protesting such Congressmen’s statement which, he said, was devoid of the real situation.

He said Bangladesh’s politics is divided into two ideologies-- one secular and the other radical. Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working seriously to protect secularism and curb militancy while BNP and its allies are patronising militancy and fundamentalism.

Democracy cannot be imagined with fundamentalism, militancy, and attack on religious minorities in place, he said.

He requested the Biden administration to reconsider its recent policy over upcoming parliamentary polls in Bangladesh at the behest of the misinterpretation.

In reply, Biden said the US along with allies has stood beside the war-affected people of Ukraine, apart from working against the instigation of Iran and North Korea. The US coalition is succeeding everywhere in encountering the policies of China, he also said.

At the end of the day, the US foreign policy is to ensure more safety and development of the lives of its citizens, Biden said.

However, US President assured of remembering the suggestions of the letter in facing the challenges and utilizing the opportunities alongside the strategies for future generations.

BDST: 0811 HRS, JULY 07, 2023
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