Written by:
AKM SAYEDAD HOSSAIN
Executive Director
National Institute of Global Studies (NIGS),
A Bangladesh-based think tank
https://nationalinstituteofglobalstudies.com
The defense cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States has evolved significantly over the years, driven by the shifting global and regional security dynamics. Both nations have recognized the growing importance of this relationship, especially in the context of the Indo-Pacific, an area where security and strategic interests are becoming increasingly critical. Under the leadership of Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s approach to this partnership remains cautiously pragmatic, while the Trump administration’s policies reflected a sharper focus on countering China’s regional influence. These differing viewpoints, yet overlapping goals, have shaped the trajectory of defense cooperation.
The Trump Administration’s Approach to Bangladesh-U.S. Defense Cooperation
Under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, the United States significantly recalibrated its approach to foreign policy, focusing heavily on countering China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, Bangladesh emerged as a critical partner for the United States due to its strategic location in South Asia and its importance for maritime security in the Bay of Bengal. During Trump’s tenure, the U.S. government placed an emphasis on strengthening military ties with countries like Bangladesh to maintain security in the region, particularly concerning maritime freedom and countering terrorism.
- Military Collaborations and Counterterrorism Efforts The Trump administration prioritized military collaborations that were highly focused on immediate security threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, and maritime piracy. The U.S. provided assistance in capacity building, enhancing Bangladesh’s ability to combat these non-traditional threats. American military trainers were deployed to Bangladesh, working closely with local forces to enhance their counterterrorism capabilities, intelligence gathering, and security measures.
The U.S. also emphasized expanding cooperation in naval defense, providing Bangladesh with support in strengthening its maritime security capabilities. This was crucial given the growing importance of the Bay of Bengal as a strategic waterway for global trade and regional geopolitics. Under Trump, the U.S. Navy worked closely with the Bangladesh Navy to enhance operational coordination, including joint exercises and training, to ensure that both nations were better prepared to respond to regional challenges like piracy, smuggling, and Chinese maritime expansion.
- Indo-Pacific Strategy and Countering China The Trump administration viewed Bangladesh’s geographic location as strategically important in the broader Indo-Pacific security framework. Under Trump, the U.S. sought to expand its defense partnerships with Bangladesh as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which was largely defined by a commitment to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
One of the hallmark initiatives of the Trump administration was its Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, which advocated for ensuring freedom of navigation, safeguarding maritime security, and maintaining a rules-based international order. In this context, Bangladesh’s cooperation with the U.S. was positioned as part of the broader effort to counter China’s attempts to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond. The U.S. recognized Bangladesh’s strategic value, and increased defense assistance reflected this geopolitical calculus.
While the Trump administration prioritized strengthening Bangladesh’s defense capabilities, it also focused on fostering a more transactional relationship—emphasizing security over diplomatic or humanitarian concerns. Human rights and political freedoms were sometimes sidelined in favor of security and defense collaboration, leading to critiques from some within the international community who felt that the U.S. was prioritizing counterterrorism over democratic values in Bangladesh.
- Security Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships The Trump administration sought deeper security cooperation with Bangladesh through a series of defense dialogues and high-level visits. These initiatives were designed to facilitate stronger diplomatic and military ties, making Bangladesh an increasingly important partner in regional security architecture. As part of this effort, the U.S. provided both financial aid and advanced defense equipment, such as surveillance systems and training for the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
Additionally, during Trump’s presidency, Bangladesh participated in several multilateral military exercises, such as “Pacific Angel” and other regional forums, which were intended to enhance cooperation on issues such as disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping operations.
Current Bangladesh Government’s Approach under Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus
With Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus now leading Bangladesh’s government, the country’s foreign and defense policy has entered a new phase, balancing pragmatism with national sovereignty. Yunus, known for his contributions to social entrepreneurship and a staunch advocate of non-alignment, approaches Bangladesh’s defense partnerships with caution, aiming to maintain a delicate balance between its relations with major global powers, including the U.S., China, and India.
- Pragmatic Defense Ties Under Yunus’ leadership, Bangladesh continues to value its defense ties with the U.S., but these relationships are approached with a strategic and calculated mindset. Yunus’ government recognizes the importance of strengthening defense capabilities, particularly in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and disaster management. However, Bangladesh remains committed to preserving its neutral foreign policy, avoiding alignment with any one global power, including the United States.
Unlike the Trump administration’s more direct approach focused on countering China, Yunus’ government has emphasized a balanced diplomatic and defense policy. Bangladesh continues to seek defense assistance from the U.S., especially in counterterrorism training and capacity building, but it avoids committing fully to any single bloc. The Yunus administration maintains a strong focus on Bangladesh’s independent defense strategy, using its military collaborations to enhance national security without compromising its sovereignty.
- Non-Aligned Stance in Defense Diplomacy Yunus has reiterated Bangladesh’s long-standing non-aligned policy in defense diplomacy. This means that while Bangladesh welcomes defense cooperation with the U.S., it will not enter into security alliances that might jeopardize its autonomy or compromise its neutrality. Bangladesh continues to diversify its defense partnerships to ensure that it does not become overly dependent on any single power.
Under Yunus, Bangladesh has been keen to strengthen ties with China and India as well, ensuring that it maintains strong diplomatic relations with regional powers, which remains crucial for its security and economic interests. While the U.S. remains an essential partner, Yunus’ approach is one of multilateralism, ensuring Bangladesh’s role as a neutral player in regional security dynamics.
- Security Cooperation in the Context of Regional Stability Yunus views Bangladesh’s defense collaborations with the U.S. as part of a broader regional strategy to maintain stability in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. While the U.S. remains a key partner, Bangladesh’s approach is more focused on regional cooperation rather than any unilateral alignment against specific countries. Under Yunus, Bangladesh aims to leverage its position to foster peace and stability across the region, rather than becoming embroiled in major power rivalries.
Conclusion: Diverging Views, Overlapping Goals
While the Trump administration placed greater emphasis on countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific by bolstering defense cooperation with countries like Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ government continues to uphold a more neutral stance, emphasizing non-alignment and multilateralism in its defense ties. Both sides recognize the strategic importance of their relationship, especially in maritime security and counterterrorism. However, the U.S. perspective under Trump was far more oriented towards security and geopolitical concerns, particularly with respect to China’s regional ambitions, whereas Yunus’ leadership prioritizes independence and diversification of defense partnerships.
The future of Bangladesh-U.S. defense cooperation will likely continue to evolve in line with these differing views, but with a shared understanding of the importance of regional security. Bangladesh will continue to maintain a careful balance, strengthening its defense ties with the U.S. while ensuring its own sovereignty and independence in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific landscape.
