Brent Christensen, the nominee for the next U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, has expressed his strong desire to work closely with both the current interim government and the future democratically elected administration in Dhaka. He made this pledge during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday night (local time).
In his written statement submitted to the committee, Christensen said, “If confirmed, I will work diligently to implement my plans.” He noted that Bangladesh, the eighth most populous country in the world, continues to strengthen its global standing despite being surrounded by larger neighbors.
Referring to recent political developments, Christensen remarked, “The student-led movement in August 2024 brought down a government that had been in power for 15 years. The country is now preparing for new elections, which could be the most consequential in decades.”
He added, “The people of Bangladesh are choosing a new path—toward a brighter, more democratic future. The United States fully supports this journey.”
Christensen assured that he would work with the U.S. Embassy team in Dhaka to build strong relationships with both the interim and the elected governments to further deepen bilateral cooperation. His full remarks were also published on the U.S. State Department’s official website.
Highlighting his two decades of diplomatic experience, Christensen said, “I have previously had the privilege of working in Bangladesh. I understand how important this country is and how vital U.S. interests are here.”
He further noted, “Bangladesh’s strategic location makes it a key player in the Indo-Pacific region. The country is advancing rapidly on the path of economic growth and emerging as the ‘new tiger of Asia.’”
Christensen pledged to promote U.S. business investment in Bangladesh, reduce trade barriers, and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
Addressing the Rohingya crisis, he said, “For more than eight years, Bangladesh has generously hosted one of the largest refugee populations in the world. I have personally visited the camps and witnessed their dire conditions.”
He reaffirmed that the United States remains the largest contributor of humanitarian aid to the Rohingya, but emphasized that such support alone is not sustainable. “We must work together—Bangladesh, the international community, and the U.S. government—to find a lasting and effective solution,” he said.
Source: U.S. Department of State; U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing Transcript.