The visit of a US delegation to Dhaka from February 24-26, 2024, marked a significant moment in Bangladesh-US relations. The delegation included Eileen Laubacher, who served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, the USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, the U.S. Department of State’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia (SCA).

During their visit, the three principals engaged in discussions with the government of Bangladesh aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations, addressing various challenges, and fostering a shared vision for advancing mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, they held meetings with activists, civil society leaders, labor organizers, and advocates for an unrestricted media. Their conversations also centered on topics such as climate change, trade dynamics, the Rohingya situation, the Myanmar issue, and labor rights. The United States remained steadfast in its commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh to realize a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. This partnership included efforts to uphold human rights, combat climate change, bolster regional resilience against transnational threats, and promote economic reforms.

Diplomats and security analysts indicate that the US is prioritizing broader relations with Bangladesh over differences in electoral viewpoints. In meetings with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, they have underscored the importance of engagement from various sectors in advancing relations between Dhaka and Washington. During the meeting, a copy of the Prime Minister’s letter to President Biden was also presented to Special Assistant Laubacher. The original copy will be transmitted to the White House through the Bangladesh embassy in Washington.

In terms of the economy, Bangladesh and the US share a robust and interdependent relationship. Bilateral trade has witnessed remarkable growth, surging to US$13 billion in 2022. Bangladesh attracted FDI amounting to USD 3.48 billion in the fiscal year 2022, while exports to the US was $10.42 billion, constituting 17.57% of total export earnings. This surge in trade has elevated the US to the position of one of the largest trading partners of Bangladesh. Notably, the US remains the top destination for Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports, totaling $46.6 billion in 2022. As the largest investor in Bangladesh’s energy sector, the third-largest trading partner, and a key market for RMG products, the United States plays a vital role in the economic and infrastructural development of the country. It is noteworthy that the US also holds a........

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