This will be her first visit to Bangladesh since her appointment as under secretary of state for Political Affairs on September 21, 2011.
Diplomatic sources said political issues, especially the current political crisis created with the scrapping of caretaker government system, and the next general election will come up prominently during Sherman’s meeting with government and opposition high ups.
However, foreign ministry officials termed it as a “routine” visit to Bangladesh as she is visiting as part of her three-nation tour aiming to strengthen bilateral relations.
In Dhaka, the under secretary is due to meet the prime minister, foreign minister and leader of the opposition as well as other government officials.
As part of her programme schedule, Wendy Sherman will first hold meeting with Prime Minister’s Security Adviser Major Gen (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique Thursday afternoon.
In the evening, she will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganobhaban, official sources said.
She will also visit the Grameen Borrower Group site outside of Dhaka Friday morning.
Sherman is due to meet with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Friday afternoon and from there she will then meet Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence, sources added.
Prior to leaving Dhaka, the US diplomat will meet with senior government leaders at a dinner on Friday. It is expected that a select group of civil society members will also meet her during her stay in Dhaka.
The undersecretary has no schedule for interaction with the media.
Her visit is being considered very crucial as this will be the highest level visit by any US government official in recent years.
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