Dhaka: Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen voiced his concerns regarding China’s expanding influence in South Asia during an interaction with journalists on Wednesday, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to supporting partner militaries in the region.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Ambassador Christensen highlighted the US government’s clear stance on the matter during his nomination hearing, stating his intention to engage with both interim and newly elected governments in Bangladesh. He aims to clearly articulate the potential risks of increased collaboration with China, should the Bangladesh government decide to pursue that path.

The ambassador underscored the strong military-to-military cooperation between the US and Bangladesh, which has been steadily strengthening. He detailed the partnerships across various branches of the Bangladesh defense forces, including collaboration with the Navy on maritime security and joint efforts with the Army and Air Force on operational and emergency response readiness.

Ambassador Christensen emphasized the US’s support for the Bangladeshi military’s modernization plans and capability development, particularly in peacekeeping and domestic security. Drawing on his prior role as a senior official in Washington and extensive experience in Bangladesh, he expressed a keen interest in security issues.

During his nomination hearing, Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska raised concerns about Bangladesh’s growing military cooperation with China. Responding to these concerns, Christensen assured that if confirmed, he would engage with the Bangladesh government and military to articulate the risks associated with Chinese military activities, while also promoting the benefits of a closer partnership with the United States.