Dhaka: Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen has expressed concern over the broader Chinese influence in South Asia, emphasizing that the United States has multiple options to assist partner militaries in meeting their capability needs.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Ambassador Christensen, during an interaction with a small group of journalists, reiterated the United States government’s clear stance on the matter. He committed to maintaining open dialogue with the Bangladesh government, whether it be the interim or newly elected administration, to articulate the potential risks associated with Chinese involvement in certain areas.

Christensen highlighted the robust and growing military-to-military cooperation between the US and Bangladesh, which spans across all branches of the Bangladesh defense forces. This collaboration includes efforts with the Navy on maritime security, the Army, and the Air Force on operational and emergency response readiness through various training and exercises.

He further explained that the US is actively working with the Bangladeshi military to support its modernization plans and capability enhancement, particularly in peacekeeping and domestic security.

Drawing from his previous experience as a senior official in Washington and his long-standing involvement in Bangladesh, the ambassador underscored the significance of security issues. During his nomination hearing, Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska raised concerns about Bangladesh’s increasing military cooperation with China, which Christensen acknowledged. He affirmed his intention to engage with the Bangladesh government to address the risks posed by Chinese activities in the maritime domain and critical infrastructure, while also highlighting the benefits of a closer military partnership with the United States.