A US delegation’s visit to Bangladesh in September  carried both immediate and long-term significance for US-Bangladesh relations, occurring as it did against the backdrop of the recent political transition in the South Asian country. Key advisers for the Bangladesh Interim Government, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, and Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed meet with the U.S. delegation included Department of Treasury Assistant Secretary Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Brendan Lynch. as part of a broader diplomatic mission that also included India. As a part of the meeting, USAID signed a development agreement worth over $200 million with the Interim Government to support Bangladesh in advancing development, strengthening governance, expanding trade, and creating greater opportunities for the Bangladeshi people to build a brighter and more prosperous future.

The visit came shortly after the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This interim administration was established in the wake of political turbulence, with the goal of managing the country until the next general elections.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

One of the central themes of the US visit was to strengthen US-Bangladesh economic ties. As Bangladesh’s economy grows, the United States has shown increasing interest in expanding trade and investment opportunities. Discussions with the interim government, particularly with the finance and commerce advisors, focused on how the US could support Bangladesh’s economic growth and financial stability. "The American private sector can assist in unlocking Bangladesh's growth potential through trade and investment with the implementation of the appropriate economic reforms," the embassy stated on its official account. Moreover, given Bangladesh’s strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation was also linked to broader geopolitical concerns, particularly the US’s focus on maintaining regional stability.

Security and Indo-Pacific Strategy

The US delegation’s visit was also important in the context of US security interests in the Indo-Pacific. As the US deepens ties with South Asian nations, regional security and counterterrorism looms high in its foreign policy agenda. Bangladesh’s strategic position in the Bay of Bengal and its proximity to key maritime trade routes make it a vital player in the US’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

Shahab Enam Khan, a professor of international relations at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka, stated that Washington would provide its support for initiatives that aim to "promote an inclusive and equitable economy that is underpinned by accountable institutions and effective governance. Furthermore, the delegation's message is consistent with the public's aspiration for sustainable democratic institutions and effective governance, and it is indicative of the United States' ongoing engagement with emerging geopolitical actors in the Indo-Pacific, such as Bangladesh."

Human Rights and Governance

Although economic and trade matters were at the forefront of the discussions, the US’s concerns about governance, human rights, and democratic values in Bangladesh were also a subtext of the visit. In recent years, the US has been vocal about the need for free and fair elections in Bangladesh, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 parliamentary elections. While the issue of democratic governance was not explicitly emphasized during the visit, it remains a key concern for the US. Recently, Under Secretary of State Uzra Zeya announced $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees and their communities in Bangladesh. The funding includes $70 million from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and over $129 million from USAID. $78 million is provided by the Commodity Credit Corporation of the Department of Agriculture.

Strategic Importance of the Visit

This visit was strategically important for both the US and Bangladesh. For the US, it was an opportunity to solidify its presence in South Asia at a time when the region is becoming increasingly important in the broader context of US-China competition. Bangladesh, situated at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, plays a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific region. The US’s desire to maintain strong ties with Bangladesh reflects its broader goal of ensuring stability and promoting its interests in this part of the world. 

For Bangladesh, the visit was significant because it provided an opportunity to engage with a key international partner at a time of political transition. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is tasked with managing the country until the next elections, and maintaining strong international relations is crucial during this period. The visit signalled continued US support for Bangladesh’s economic and political stability, even as the country navigates a challenging domestic political landscape.

Long-Term Implications

In the political realm, the visit highlights the importance of governance and democratic values as part of the US’s broader foreign policy towards Bangladesh. Although these issues were not the primary focus of the visit, they remain critical to the future of US-Bangladesh relations, particularly as the country prepares for its next general elections.

From a strategic perspective, the visit underscores Bangladesh’s growing importance in the Indo-Pacific region. As the US continues to compete with China for influence in South Asia, maintaining strong ties with Bangladesh may be key to the US’s broader geopolitical goals in the region.

The US delegation’s September 2024 visit to Bangladesh represents a significant moment in the evolving relationship between the two nations. While economic and trade issues were at the forefront of discussions, the visit also underscored broader strategic and political concerns, including regional security and governance. 

According to the US Embassy, USAID has allocated nearly $1 billion to enhance the quality of life for the Bangladeshi people between 2021 and 2026. However, as Bangladesh navigates its current political transition, the continued engagement of the US will be crucial in shaping the country’s future trajectory. The visit highlights both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for US-Bangladesh relations, with economic cooperation, governance, and security remaining key areas of focus.

(The author is a Lecturer of the Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Views are personal. He can be contacted at marufhasanrumi@du.ac.bd)