System and method of operating an internal combustion engine

A method of operating an internal combustion engine 14 is provided. The method includes combusting a mixture of fresh air and fuel within multiple cylinders. The method also includes directing a first portion of exhaust gases into a first-stage turbine 24 and a second-stage turbine 26 of a turbocharger 12 for expanding the exhaust gases, directing a second portion of exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold 18 via an exhaust channel 38 bypassing the first-stage turbine 24 and recirculating a third portion of exhaust gases into an intake manifold 16 after mixing with fresh air. The method includes controlling at least one of: reducing a normal engine speed at each engine power setting while maintaining constant engine power level by increasing a fuel injection per cycle; concurrently increasing a flow rate of the third portion of exhaust gas during recirculation; and advancing a fuel injection timing for reducing emission levels that meets Tier 4 requirements.