As the ninth partnership dialogue between Bangladesh and the US drew close, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to Myanmar's crackdown on the Rohingyas as genocide during a visit to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

We warmly appreciate the United States' recognition—however tardy—that the Myanmar Army committed crimes against humanity by mass-murdering the Rohingya Muslim population. And we hope that this will result in reinvigorated US and worldwide efforts to find a long-term solution to the situation.

For many years, the Rohingya people have suffered tremendously, and it is past time they are repatriated to their motherland with their dignity and human rights restored in full.

Meanwhile, while Bangladesh expressed worry during the early phases of the talks, it has stated that recent US restrictions on the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) will not affect bilateral relations between the two nations. And conversations on trade and securities are likely to solidify the Bangladesh-US relationship further.

The US conveyed its desire for Bangladesh to take a firmer position against Russia's actions in Ukraine during the meeting. While we strongly condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine war deaths and share many of the same worries as the US, we feel there are additional elements contributing to this problem.

Even though the US has made some excellent arguments about Ukraine, and we wholeheartedly endorse the premise that no country has the right to violate another's sovereign territory—as Russia has done in Ukraine—we recognize that this is not the entire picture.

It is a truth that, to sustain global stability and peace, the concerns of other international actors—not only those of Western powers—should be considered. Regrettably, NATO expansion has completely overlooked Russia's position and security concerns.

Given the gravity of the issue and the severe threat to the entire globe posed by the outcome of this confrontation, the West should have given greater weight to Russia's worries about Nato advancing right up to its borders. As a result, we once again appeal to all parties to the conflict who have the power to bring it to a stop to engage in quick conversation to reach a reasonable political settlement before other lives are lost.

We hope that the eighth Bangladesh-US partnership discussion has strengthened bilateral relations and facilitated increased trade and cooperation between the two countries.

Additionally, in light of the United States' recognition of genocide against the Rohingya in Myanmar, the international community should now step in and assist Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya situation.