Christensen for building strong tie with democratically elected Bangladesh government
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen. File photo
DHAKA, Oct 24, 2025 (BSS) – Nominee for the post of United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen has expressed his intent to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh’s both the current Interim and its future democratically elected government to further advance the Dhaka-Washington partnership.
“If confirmed, I look 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,” he told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in his opening statement during his nomination hearing in Washington DC on Thursday.
Christensen said that the US supports Bangladesh in its journey toward a bright and democratic future.
“Student-led protests in August 2024 brought down a government that had been in power for 15 years. 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,” he said.
Christensen of Virginia, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh once confirmed.
The Ambassador Nominee said that Bangladesh’s strategic location makes it an important participant in an open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“With my over twenty years of experience working on U.S. policy toward Bangladesh across my Foreign Service career, including a prior tour in Dhaka, I understand well its importance and the significant U.S. interests there,” he added.
Often referred to as one of the new Asian tigers, he said Bangladesh showed significant economic potential. “If confirmed, I will work to promote opportunities for U.S. business, reduce trade barriers and the trade deficit, and strengthen U.S.-Bangladesh economic ties,” he added.
For over eight years now, he said that Bangladesh had hosted one of the largest refugee populations, Rohingyas in the world.
“If confirmed, I will work with the government of Bangladesh, the international community, and colleagues across the U.S. government, including this committee, on a viable and enduring way forward (of Rohingya crisis),” he added.
If confirmed, he said “It would be an honor to return to Bangladesh as Ambassador to lead the talented men and women of U.S. Embassy Dhaka and advance the US-Bangladesh partnership. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today and I look forward to your questions.”
Christensen has previous experience in Bangladesh, having 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.