Bangladesh is a key regional ally of the United States on issues of economic, environmental, humanitarian, and security importance. To strengthen bilateral, economic, commercial, and security cooperation, the United States and Bangladesh commemorated the 50th anniversary of their bilateral ties in 2022 and held several high-level engagements and strategic talks in Dhaka and Washington, D.C., according to the US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (2022). Although the US government stood against the Bangladeshi War of Independence in 1971, Bangladesh and the United States have enjoyed friendly relations since they were established in 1972. Washington has emerged as a key partner to assist this country in achieving its development objectives, including in areas like poverty alleviation, disaster preparedness, food security, education, and health. However, the United States has raised its concerns with respect to the state of democracy and human rights in Bangladesh in recent years (Banerjee, 2024; Mazumder, 2023; Morsalin, & Hannan, 2022).
Mazumder (2023) claims that it is bitterly undeniable that Bangladesh has its part in the current bilateral wrangling over the country’s peaceful democratic transition through “free and fair” elections. The last two elections, held in 2018 and 2023, were “filled with numerous accusations, especially concerning the elements of electoral inclusivity and fairness,” under the previous Awami League leadership. He claims that the US and Bangladesh have had some hard times together, with the US denouncing Bangladesh’s human rights record and ultimately leading to the country’s democratic collapse. For instance, in 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on some members of the Rapid Action Battalion, the anti-terrorism and crime unit of Bangladesh’s police force. Bangladesh was not even invited to the Summit of the Democracy virtually hosted by the United States in 2021, and Dhaka was not part of the subsequent Summit of the Democracy 2023, co-hosted by the United States in 2024. Despite the differences, the two nations have continued to hold talks and dialogues to develop a cooperative relationship under the new leadership of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Yunus (Banerjee, 2024).
Banerjee (2024) claims that during the political upheaval in Dhaka in August 2024, India supported Hasina’s (the former Prime Minister) regime, while the US favored regime change, adhering to its democratic values at the risk of temporarily alienating a key regional ally. The new administration, comprising professionals from prominent NGOs, may lack the statecraft, strategic vision, and diplomatic finesse needed to navigate the complexities of international politics. The US played a significant role in supporting the movement that ousted Bangladesh’s fallen democratically elected but autocratic leader. Washington views the new administration under Yunus as an opportunity to enhance its presence in the Indo-Pacific, capitalizing on the Nobel laureate’s openness to greater collaboration with the West.
As the political reality of Bangladesh changed last August, the United States has extended its support to the interim government and has expressed a desire for an elected government to take office soon. Before pursuing the opportunities that this partnership offers, Bangladesh must urgently strengthen its political institutions and ensure economic stability. With Donald Trump returning to the White House in 2024, Bangladesh faces a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Michael Kugelman (2024), the director of the South Asia Institute, remarks in an interview that it is very clear that the politics of Dr. Yunus don’t align with Donald Trump; rather, he is too critical against Trump. We are aware that the Biden administration responded positively to Yunus’s arrival, which was noteworthy considering that during the final years of the Sheikh Hasina-led administration, tensions had begun to erode between the United States and Bangladesh. This time, however, Dr. Yunus is in charge of the temporary administration, and his response was noticeably different: a friendly letter congratulating Trump was sent out. Furthermore, the policies and relationships of the US, China, and India will impact Bangladesh’s strategic position as they continue to alter the world. Trump’s approach, characterized by a tough stance on China, could have far-reaching implications for Bangladesh, especially in the areas of trade, technology, and climate policy.
Finally, Bangladesh-US relations have evolved from a focus on humanitarian assistance to a multifaceted partnership encompassing trade, security, and cultural exchanges. Evaluating the relationship between these two countries during the last 50 years, Morsalin and Hannan (2022) divided it into three distinct phases: (1) Era of Dependency (1970s-1980s); (2) Slow Move to Engagement (1990-2000); and (3) The Search for Robust Collaboration (2001-Present). During the phases, both countries continue to communicate to address mutual concerns and advance regional stability, although there are still difficulties, especially in the political sphere. Furthermore, sustained collaboration in the areas of economic growth, democratic governance, cultural awareness, and the geopolitical strategies of the US, China, and India will probably be essential to the future of Bangladesh-US ties. In the coming years, Bangladesh will need to navigate these geopolitical challenges with a strategic focus on diversifying its trade partnerships, strengthening its diplomatic ties with both the US and India, and advancing its climate resilience efforts. As Trump’s ‘America First’ policies continue to shape global dynamics, Bangladesh’s ability to adapt and assert its interests in a rapidly changing world will be crucial to its political and economic future. The next phase of Bangladesh’s diplomacy and leadership will require agility, resilience, and a clear vision to protect its national interests in an increasingly multipolar global order. From these perspectives, relations between Bangladesh and the US can fall in the line of cooperation and dependency, according to our research discourse.
References:
Banerjee, Stuti Dr. (2024). The Shift in U.S.-Bangladesh Relations, Indian Council of World Affairs, Sept 10, 2024. Available at https://www.icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=3&ls_id=11768&lid=7167 [Accessed on April 10, 2025]
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (2022). U.S. Relations With Bangladesh, July 19, 2022, Available at: https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-bangladesh/ [Accessed on February 03, 2025]
Kugelman, Michael (2024). Will Trump’s return change Bangladesh-US ties?, The Daily Star, Michael Kugelman, the director of South Asia Institute in the Wilson Center, speaks to Ramisa Rob, November 08, 2024. Available at: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/geopolitical-insights/news/will-trumps-return-change-bangladesh-us-ties-3747491 [Accessed on February 02, 2025]
Mazumder, Ranajit (2023). US-Bangladesh Relations: A Riddle Wrapped in Uncertainty, The Geopolitics, Available at: https://thegeopolitics.com/us-bangladesh-relations-a-riddle-wrapped-in-uncertainty/ [Accessed on February 03,2025]
Morsalin, Sheikh Shams and Hannan, Md. Abdul. (2022) Five Decades of Bangladesh-US Relations: A Neoclassical Realist Explanation, Journal of International Relations, Special Issue, 15(1-2):186-204. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56312/DUJIR15e1n2e8