Never engaged in any conversations about taking over St. Martin’s Island from Bangladesh: US State Department

The United States has said that it has never engaged in any conversations about taking over the St. Martin’s Island of Bangladesh. Responding to a question during the press briefing on Monday, the US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said that the US values its partnership with Bangladesh. Calling the accusation inaccurate, Mathew Miller said that the US strives to bolster its relationship with Bangladesh by working together to promote democracy, including by supporting free and fair elections.

Earlier, in a press briefing on June 21, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had said that she could hold on to power if St. Martin Island is leased out but she would not do that. She had said that she has no intention of retaining power by selling the country’s assets. She accused the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that it wants to come to power by committing to sell St. Martin’s Island.

The President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh MP, Rashed Khan Menon in a discussion in parliament had also accused US of eying St. Martin’s Island.

St. Martin’s Island is the southernmost Island of Bangladesh. The small island is a popular tourist destination and known for its natural beauty.