DHAKA: Bangladesh Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali, MP on Thursday (US time) met the U.S. Secretary of State John F Kerry at the US Department of State and discussed on a range of bilateral relations.

They expressed their satisfaction at the current level of cooperation and acknowledged that the bilateral relation is expanding from strength to strength.

External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release regarding the matter on Friday.

It said Kerry applauded Bangladesh for its huge success in the socio-economic fields and said that the US would be happy to continue expanding its cooperation with Bangladesh.

The two leaders, in the meeting, agreed that violence has no space in a democracy, and condemned the mindless violence and extremism in the name of ideology or political expression.

They also agreed to work together on a number of global issues, including climate change, countering violent extremism, terrorism, peacekeeping, human security, disaster preparedness etc.

Mahmood Ali also requested John Kerry to expedite repatriation of Rashed Chowdhury, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is reportedly hiding in USA.

He also invited his counterpart to visit Bangladesh.

The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador to USA M Ziauddin, Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque and Director General (Americas) Mahfuzur Rahman.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South & Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal assisted the Secretary of State.

Earlier on the day, Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali attended the Ministerial Segment of the White House Countering Violent Extremism Summit, which was addressed by US President Barack Obama.

He reiterated that Bangladesh denounces terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and expressed determination that the people of Bangladesh is determined to restore and strengthen the secular and inclusive social fabric of the country, the centuries old Bengali ethos and culture to allow for extraordinary social tolerance, peace, social harmony and religious freedom.

BDST: 1251 HRS, FEB 20, 2015