'Next election in Bangladesh to be most consequential in decades'

 
Brent Christensen, nominee for US Ambassador to Bangladesh, on Thursday said the people of Bangladesh will go to the polls early next year - the country's most consequential election in decades - to choose a new government and a new path forward.

"The United States supports Bangladesh in its journey toward a bright and democratic future," he told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in his opening statement during his nomination hearing.

If confirmed, Christensen said, he looks forward to leading the Embassy Dhaka team to build strong ties with both the current Interim Government and its democratically elected successor to advance the US- Bangladesh relationship, UNB reports.

He also referred to his "over twenty years of experience working on US policy towards Bangladesh" across his Foreign Service career, including a prior tour in Dhaka.

Once Christensen and his fellow nominees had delivered their opening statements, they faced questions from members of the committee.

Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, a Republican, asked Christensen about what he described as Bangladesh's growing military-to-military cooperation with "Communist China", referring to the country's first submarine base that was recently built by the Chinese in Pekua, as well as the interim overnment approving a plan to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets.

"If they finalise the sale, it would lock Dhaka into a decades-long financial and strategic relationship with the Chinese defence industry. If confirmed, how would you engage with Bangladesh's military and political leadership to discourage further dependence on Chinese platforms, as well as promote greater transparency in their defence procurement process?" Ricketts asked.

Saying he shared the senator's concern over Chinese influence in South Asia, Christensen said if confirmed, he would engage with the Bangladesh government and military to "clearly articulate the risks from Chinese activity, involvement with their military activities in the maritime domain and in their critical infrastructure, as well as highlight the opportunities and benefits that come with a closer partnership with the United States, especially military-to-military."

Ricketts followed up with a question referring to the 'Think Twice Act', that is moving through the US Congress at the moment, and is meant to formulate a strategy to dissuade countries like Bangladesh from purchasing Chinese weapons.

"What are some of the other things we can do, what other alternatives do we have to Chinese defence sales in South Asia that you can deploy as ambassador?" the senator asked.

Christensen, in response, said: "One of the things we can do through our US military groups is also highlight some of the allied systems that might be more affordable for a country like Bangladesh, that perhaps cannot afford the premium US-made systems, as well as encourage their interoperability with other platforms as we conduct additional military exercises with them."

"Allied systems" in military parlance refers to weapons systems or platforms developed in collaboration between multiple nations.

The questions put to ambassador nominees in these hearings is said to be indicative of the US administration's concerns surrounding particular countries. Christensen faced no more questions.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, Christensen would be appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People's Republic of Bangladesh once confirmed.

"Often referred to as one of the new Asian tigers, Bangladesh shows significant economic potential," he said in his testimony.

"I am honored by this nomination and grateful to President Trump and Secretary Rubio for the trust and confidence they have shown in me. If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with you to advance US foreign policy interests in Bangladesh," Christensen said.

His wife Deanne and Committee members were present.

"For the past two decades, she has joined me around the world, from San Salvador to Dhaka to Omaha, and I am grateful for her sacrifice and support across my diplomatic career," he said.

Bangladesh, as the eighth most populous country in the world, often does not receive the attention it deserves, as it is overshadowed by its even larger neighbours, Christensen said.

"With my over twenty years of experience working on US policy toward Bangladesh across my Foreign Service career, including a prior tour in Dhaka, I understand well its importance and the significant US interests there," he said.

Bangladesh's strategic location makes it an important participant in an open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, he said.

"Bangladesh is also at a pivotal point. Student-led protests in August 2024 brought down a government that had been in power for 15 years," Christensen said.

Having overcome tremendous challenges, he said, Bangladesh is now on the cusp of graduation from least developed country status, a true tribute to the resilience and perseverance of the Bangladeshi people.

"If confirmed, I will work to promote opportunities for US business, reduce trade barriers and the trade deficit, and strengthen US-Bangladesh economic ties," Christensen said.

For over eight years now, he said, Bangladesh has hosted one of the largest refugee populations in the world. Nearly 1.3 million Rohingya currently live in the Cox's Bazar area of Bangladesh, after fleeing their homes in Burma's Rakhine state.

"Bangladesh and the international community, led by the United States, have done a remarkable job supporting the Rohingya people since 2017," he said.

Christensen has been to the Rohingya camps, seen this work for himself, and spoken to the Rohingya people.

"The disproportionate effort by the United States to fund the response, however, is not sustainable. We need more countries to increase financial support to ease the burden on us," he said.

It will also be important to work through the UN and other partners to streamline operations, reduce duplication of effort, and deliver aid more efficiently.

"If confirmed, I will work with the government of Bangladesh, the international community, and colleagues across the US government, including this committee, on a viable and enduring way forward," Christensen said.

Christensen served as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy here from 2019-2021, according to his official profile on the State Department's website.

Early on in his career, he also served as Bangladesh Country Officer in the Office of Pakistan and Bangladesh Affairs, which no longer exists under that name, at the State Department.

His other appointments include Deputy Director, Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the Department of State (2016-2019), and as a Pearson Fellow on detail to the majority staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific (2015-2016).

He has also been Special Assistant to the Special Representative for North Korea Policy, Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs Cyber Coordinator, Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Manila, Deputy Economic Counselor at the US Embassy in San Salvador, Economic Officer at the US Embassy in Riyadh, and Vice Consul at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The US Embassy in Dhaka has been running without an ambassador since Peter Haas wrapped up his tenure in the summer of 2024.
Since then, a series of charge de affaires or CDAs have filled the role.