China’s Role in Bangladesh: The United States has shown concern about China becoming more active in South Asia. A Reuters report said that Washington’s ambassador to Dhaka shared these views. The US plans to offer defence equipment to Bangladesh’s next government. These systems would come from the US and its allied countries. This is being seen as an option instead of buying Chinese military equipment.
Bangladesh is going to vote on Thursday in a general election. This comes after a Gen Z led protest movement removed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. She was seen as close to India. After leaving office she went to New Delhi. Since then India’s influence in Bangladesh has reduced and China has tried to build stronger ties.
China recently made a defence agreement with Dhaka to build a drone factory near the Indian border. This has made some foreign diplomats uneasy. Bangladesh is also talking with Pakistan about buying JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. These jets are made together by Pakistan and China.
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“The United States is concerned about growing Chinese 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,” Reuters quoted US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen as saying in an interview on Tuesday.
He also added, “The US offers a range of options to help Bangladesh meet its military capability needs, including US systems and those from allied partners, to provide alternatives to Chinese systems,” he said without offering further details.
China responded by saying that its friendship with Bangladesh is strong and not aimed at anyone else. “Our mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation is not directed against any third party, nor will we tolerate interference from any third party,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying in a statement.
Christensen also shared that President Donald Trump’s administration would “like to see a good relationship between Bangladesh and India to support stability in the region”.
Ties with India and US Business Plans
Relations between India and Bangladesh have become tense since Hasina left the country. Visa services have been disturbed and even cricket ties have been affected. The political situation has made things uncertain between the two neighbours.
The US ambassador said that many American companies are thinking about investing in Bangladesh. However they want clear signs from the next government that the country is ready for business. He said it is important for the new leadership to show 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 progress made with the interim government, particularly in strengthening commercial, economic, and security ties,” he said.
Chevron has worked in Bangladesh for many years. But not many other big US brands are present there. The country has around 175 million people. High taxes and rules about sending profits back home have made it hard for some companies. There are no Starbucks or McDonald’s outlets in Bangladesh.
The US envoy made it clear that America will work with “whichever government is elected by the Bangladeshi people”.
In the election two main coalitions are competing. One is led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP. The other is led by the Islamist Jamaat e Islami. Opinion polls suggest that the BNP may have a slight advantage.
Rohingya Refugee Support
Bangladesh is hosting about 1.2 million Rohingya refugees. The US says it is the biggest donor helping these refugees. “The US remains the largest contributor to the Rohingya refugee response and continues robust health programming in Bangladesh,” he said. He mentioned a recent $2 billion global funding plan signed with the United Nations to improve aid work including in Bangladesh.
At the same time he asked other countries to do more. “The US cannot sustain the bulk of the effort alone. International partners need to increase their support for the Rohingya response,” he said.
The UN refugee agency has faced money shortages. Because of this food rations were cut and some Rohingya schools had to close.
