The United States wants to rebuild trust with the people of Bangladesh, said US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu on Wednesday in Dhaka.

“Last year, there were a lot of tensions between us and Bangladesh. The US worked very hard to promote free, fair and non-violent elections in Bangladesh and it caused tension. It is common in our relationship,” Lu said to the media after a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.

He said the US wants to look forward and not back.

The United States said they stand with Bangladesh in building a “prosperous, secure, and democratic” future. He said that the US wanted to help the government fighting corruption by ensuring transparency and holding government officials accountable.

However, Ruling Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said Donald Lu has come to Bangladesh to hold talks to implement his own country’s agenda, reports BSS.

Lu was on his tri-nation tour of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (May 10-15).