United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal arrives in the capital today on a two-day visit, which will be all but certain to be dominated by the situation that evolved from the recent terrorist attacks in Gulshan and Sholakia.
During the visit, according to diplomatic sources, she will hold meetings with Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque. Issues related to countering terrorism and violent extremism are likely to get prominence during these meetings, they said, adding that the issue regarding security of US Embassy officials and US facilities might also come up for discussions.
She is also likely to exchange views with civil society and people from different professions, they said.  
This is Biswal’s second visit since May, this year.
It has been learnt that her visit was scheduled to take place at the end of this month, but given the situation the trip was brought forward.
The US official is scheduled to meet Foreign Secretary Haque and Foreign Minister Ali at the state guest house Padma. On the following day, she will meet Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his office.
While in Dhaka, she is also expected to talk about the progress of the investigation in connection with the murder of USAID official Xulhaz Mannan and his friend.