The United States has expressed concern over China’s growing presence in South Asia and plans to offer the next government of Bangladesh US and allied defense systems as alternatives to Chinese hardware, a Reuters report said, citing Washington’s ambassador.
Bangladesh is due to hold a general election on Thursday following a youth uprising in August 2024 that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
China recently signed a defense agreement with Bangladesh to set up a drone factory. In addition, Bangladesh is in talks with Pakistan to buy JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a multi-role combat aircraft developed in cooperation with China, the report said.
“The United States is concerned about China’s growing influence in South Asia and is committed to working closely with the Bangladeshi government to clearly communicate the risks of certain types of engagement with China,” US Ambassador Brent T Christensen told the news portal.
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“The United States offers a number of options to help Bangladesh meet its military capability needs, including US systems and systems from allied partners to provide alternatives to Chinese systems,” he said, without elaborating.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Bangladesh cooperate across political, economic and security sectors.
“Our mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation is not directed against any third party, nor will we tolerate interference from any third party,” the ministry said in a statement to Reuters.
Christensen also said the Trump administration would “like to see good relations between Bangladesh and India to promote stability in the region.”
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Focus on commercial diplomacy
Christensen mentioned that many American companies are considering investing in Bangladesh, but they need the incoming government to show early and clear signals that it is “open for business.”
“Commercial diplomacy is one of our top priorities and we look forward to working with the new government to build on the progress made with the interim government, particularly in strengthening trade, economic and security ties,” he said.
Energy producer Chevron has operated in Bangladesh for decades, but few other U.S. companies operate in the densely populated country of 175 million because of high taxes and problems with repatriating profits.
Currently, Bangladesh does not have any Starbucks or McDonald’s outlets.
The envoy said the US would work with “any government elected by the people of Bangladesh”. The race is between two coalitions led by former allies: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami.
Support for Rohingya refugees
Speaking about the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh, the ambassador said the United States was the largest contributor to humanitarian operations.
“The United States remains the largest contributor to the Rohingya refugee response and continues extensive health programming in Bangladesh,” he said, highlighting the latest $2 billion global funding framework signed with the United Nations to improve the effectiveness of such aid, including in Bangladesh.
He called on other international donors to take more responsibility.
“The United States cannot sustain most of the effort alone. International partners must increase their support for the Rohingya response,” he said.
The UN refugee agency has recently struggled to secure enough funding to help the Rohingya community, leading to reduced allocations and the closure of some schools.