By Enayet Kabir
To remove the obstacles to the Washington visit of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who has been accused of money laundering in an investigation by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), his wife Zubaida Rahman and Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman are currently visiting the United States.
For this purpose, they are trying to hire lobbyists. Reliable sources say they have met James F Moriarty, the former US Ambassador to Bangladesh.
In a cable sent to Washington on November 3, 2008, Moriarty had recommended banning Tarique from entering the United States.
In that message, he identified Tarique Rahman as a person dangerous to US security interests. Zubaida and Khalil have also met with FBI official Deborah.
James F Moriarty is an American diplomat who served as the US Ambassador to Bangladesh from 2008 to 2011.
During his career, he also served as US Ambassador to Nepal and as Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council. During his tenure, Tarique Rahman-who was accused in multiple serious cases-was sent to London for medical treatment after signing a bond not to engage in politics.
At that time, Moriarty recommended banning Tarique Rahman from entering the United States. Currently, Moriarty is working as a Senior Advisor at the Pacific Forum.
Even after the change of government, officials close to Yunus, including Press Minister Golam Mortuza, are still working at the US Embassy in Bangladesh.
The embassy is working to build Rahman's image among the US government, senators, and officials. It is being said that Tarique Rahman has already served significant punishment by spending 17 years in exile.
In the February 12 election, he received public support and political legitimacy in Bangladesh. The government led by Tarique Rahman has provided "relief" to the people of Bangladesh.
Lobbyists associated with Muhammad Yunus are also working to increase Tarique Rahman's acceptability to the US State Department.
However, how trustworthy Rahman will be to the Americans depends on two agreements.
To remove the obstacles to his US visit, commitments are being sought regarding the GSOMIA and ACSA agreements. Ensuring US military presence in Bangladesh is part of US security policy.
The United States wants to include Bangladesh in a regional anti-China military alliance. At the same time as Zubaida and Khalil's visit, the trip of Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman is also significant. Waker is seeking US support to become the "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces."
After returning from the United States, Tarique Rahman's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit Delhi, the capital of India, on April 7, 2026.
He has meetings scheduled with India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Misri.
Bangladesh will need India's support to finalize military agreements with the United States. Alignment between US security policy and India's strategic outlook will also be necessary.
(The writer is a political and economic analyst)