UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West today said her government would extend full support to Bangladesh, including in its efforts to bring back billions of dollars of laundered money.
She made the comments when she called on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhamnad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here.
"It is important to let you know that you've got our support," Catherine West said. The British minister said the United Kingdom would also extend its support to Dhaka's efforts to bring back tens of billions of dollars siphoned off abroad during Sheikh Hasina's nearly sixteen-year-long rule.
Prof Yunus thanked her, saying that returning money laundered by corrupt politicians, oligarchs, and bureaucrats is a top priority of the interim government.
Quoting a recent Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report, he said annually more than 12 billion dollars were siphoned off abroad.
During the meeting, Prof Yunus described his government's reform initiatives to fix the country's key institutions and the election commission.
He said the reforms are aimed at ensuring free and fair elections in the country and to break away from the rampant vote rigging practiced by the previous regime.
West backed the reforms, saying Britain would like to see vibrant debates on the key aspects of electoral, judiciary, and constitutional reforms.
"Debates are very important," she said.
The minister announced œ10.3 million of UK grant support to provide essential services and assistance to the Rohingya refugees, the host communities and those affected by natural disasters in Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus reiterated his call for a "UN-overseen safe zone" for communities in Myanmar's violence-plagued Rakhine so that they don't have to flee across the border to Bangladesh and charities and aid groups can take food and assistance at the doorsteps of the displaced people.
During the meeting, they also discussed geopolitical issues, minority rights, ties with South Asian neighbours, and Bangladesh's recent 40 megawatt energy deal with Nepal.
The chief adviser said his government has fully backed the creation of a South Asia electricity grid to bring power from hydroelectricity-rich Nepal and Bhutan.
He said Bangladesh can ease off its reliance on fossil fuels if it can import renewable energy from the two Himalayan countries.
He said Bangladesh needs collaboration with India to this effect.
During the meeting, Sarah Cook, the British High Commissioner to Dhaka, said a UK medical team arrived in the country this month to treat students and other demonstrators who were critically injured during the July-August mass uprising.
"They are conducting three surgeries a day," she said.
Catherine West said her country is keen to provide support to Bangladesh's interim government's all works including restoring peace and order, ensuring accountability and promoting national reconciliation.
"We know that the interim government in Bangladesh has committed to restoring peace and order, ensuring accountability and promoting national reconciliation, and it has the full support of the UK government in these objectives," she said.
The UK minister was talking to the reporters after meeting with Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at his ministry here.
Catherine said that she welcomed the interim government's determination to build a better democratic future for the people of Bangladesh.
"As we have a very strong, steadfast friendship with the people of Bangladesh, we want to build the strong partnerships and build on that important building block of the strong ties and also with moving towards that democratic future from economics and trade to security, migration and climate change," she said.
"There's so much that we do together that we must continue to work on," she added.
When a journalist wanted to know whether there will be a level playing field for all political parties, she said, "Of course, and we expect Prof Yunus to lay out his vision for how all that will unfold."
Responding to a question on BNP acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman's return, the British minister said they did not discuss individual cases but they want to support the government because it is in the period of transition.
"We want to support the interim government in all the works that it is doing," she said.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, the UK minister said they are pleased that they have been able to announce another 10 million pounds so that there can be more building of appropriate shelter for the refugees and ensure that there is proper food, medical supplies and education for the children.
Catherine becomes the first UK minister to visit Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government.
The UK minister, who arrived here on Saturday, said the people of Bangladesh deserve a pathway to a "peaceful future and accountability" after a turbulent few months.
"I am here to discuss how the UK can best support the work of the interim government to stabilise its economy and move towards a peaceful and democratic future," she said.
Since the establishment of the interim government in August, 2024, the UK has been clear in its support for interim government's work on accountability and creating a pathway to an inclusive democratic future for Bangladesh.
Apart from Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, the UK minister will also meet with student leaders and political parties to discuss the UK's support for Bangladesh's democratic recovery.
She will also hold meeting with business leaders to discuss how the UK government can continue to create strong ties and boost mutually beneficial trade and investment.
Dhaka seeks stronger cooperation with London for tracing, return of "stolen" wealth
Touhid Hossain on Sunday raised concerns over the illicit flow of Bangladesh’s stolen wealth abroad, urging greater efforts to address the issue of asset recovery.
He called for stronger cooperation with the UK to trace and return these assets to Bangladesh, a matter that remains high on the government’s agenda.
Minister West assured the Foreign Adviser of all possible cooperation in this regard, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They discussed major bilateral issues, ranging from the priorities of British and Bangladesh governments.
She reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh and underscored the UK Government’s priorities on different areas including migration, maritime cooperation and cyber security.
Adviser Hossain sought the international community’s support for the Rohingyas and said the only solution to this crisis lies in the safe and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
Under-Secretary West reiterated the UK’s strong position to resolve the Rohingya crisis and stressed on the importance of continued humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas.
With regard to the point-based Immigration System, the Foreign Adviser called for the arrangement of mutual recognition of qualifications.
Both sides committed to carry forward the robust cooperation and further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
