US doesn't take sides in Bangladesh elections: Ambassador Christensen

Expressing optimism over the future of the two countries, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen yesterday (21 January) said his country does not take any side in Bangladesh elections and it is the 'sovereign decision' of the people of Bangladesh whom they actually want.

"The key point I want to make is - the US doesn't take sides in Bangladesh's elections," he said during his first interaction with a small group of journalists at the EMK Centre in Dhaka.

Spokesperson of the US Embassy Dhaka Poornima Rai was also present.

The Ambassador said he is optimistic about the future of the two countries and looks forward to Bangladesh's historic elections next month.

He said who is elected and who is selected to become the part of the newly elected government is a sovereign decision of Bangladesh's people and no other country had a say.

"We talk to everybody as you know...we have a long history of talking to everybody, " the Ambassador said.

He said they are committed to working with whoever wins in the elections.

"I am excited about the future of Bangladesh. We have seen massive changes here since August 2024. I think we will continue to see changes," said the US envoy, noting that the two countries can work together on economic, trade and security issues.

Ambassador Christensen said it is a very exciting time to be back here ahead of the country's most consequential election in nearly two decades.

Very hopeful of great relationship

Ambassador Christensen said they had a very positive working relationship with the interim government and are very hopeful that they will have a great relationship with the next government, to be chosen by the people of Bangladesh.

Asked about his expectation from the next elected government, he hoped that they will do their 'very best' for the people.

During the interaction with the media, he spoke on the broader bilateral relationship, indicating that cooperation in the areas of trade, economy and security would be the priorities of the relationship.

The Ambassador believes there are many opportunities for cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.

Talking about economic issues, the Ambassador said the US business is not just trade and investment, it brings international best practices.

Regarding the Myanmar-Rohingya crisis, Christensen commended Bangladesh for hosting over a million refugees.

He said the US' ongoing support. In December, the US and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs signed a $2 billion funding framework, which includes Bangladesh, to ensure aid reaches vulnerable communities effectively.

Honoured to return

Christensen said he was honoured to return to Bangladesh, a country he knows well and holds in the highest regard.

For over two decades, he said, he has had the privilege of working closely on US policy toward Bangladesh and the broader region.

As US Ambassador, he said, his primary responsibility is to advance the interests of the American people and the agenda of President Donald Trump, making America safer, stronger and more prosperous.

"You might have heard this policy referred to as the America First foreign policy. I believe that elected governments should always put their people first," the Ambassador said, adding that America First does not mean America alone.

After his recent meeting with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to hear his perspective on upcoming elections, he said the United States looks forward to working with all Bangladeshi political parties to advance shared peace and prosperity.

The US Ambassador also met with Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury to discuss his plans for the judiciary and potential areas for cooperation to strengthen the security of both the countries.

On 15 January, Ambassador Christensen presented his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban and said he looks forward to strengthening the Bangladesh-US relationship.

"Today I had the honor of presenting my Ambassadorial credentials to President Shahabuddin. The United States is proud to call Bangladesh a friend," he said in a brief statement after the ceremony.

In over 50 years of partnership, the US Ambassador said they have worked together to promote regional stability, economic growth benefiting both the two countries, and the sovereignty of their great nations.

"I look forward to continuing this work and further strengthening the US-Bangladesh relationship," he said.

"It is an honor for me to serve the United States as the 19th Ambassador to Bangladesh," said Ambassador Christensen who along with his wife Deanne Dao arrived in Dhaka on 12 January.

In a brief statement shared by the US Embassy in Dhaka soon after his arrival, he said they both are thrilled to return to a country that holds many fond memories for them.

The newly appointed Ambassador laid emphasis on enhancing the relations between Bangladesh and the United States.

The US Embassy Dhaka welcomed Brent Christensen as the newly sworn-in Ambassador to Bangladesh. "I am thrilled to return to Bangladesh, a country I know so well," said Ambassador Christensen.

The US Ambassador said he is excited to lead a great team at Embassy Dhaka, Americans and locally employed staff alike, to "enhance US-Bangladesh relations, advance President Trump's agenda, and work hard every day to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous."

Excellent first week

He had 'excellent first week' at US Embassy Dhaka. "I'm proud to join the hard-working US Embassy team and look forward to advancing President Trump's priorities and further strengthening US-Bangladesh relations."

Ambassador Christensen was confirmed by the Senate as Ambassador on 18 December, 2025.

He served most recently as the Senior Official performing the duties of Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security from January-October 2025.

In this role, he oversaw the Department of State's global efforts on security cooperation, security assistance, counterterrorism,7 counternarcotics and nonproliferation.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Christensen previously served as the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of United States Strategic Command and as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Ambassador Christensen has held additional assignments overseas in the US missions to the Philippines, El Salvador and Vietnam.

His other domestic roles include serving as Deputy Director, Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, as Special Assistant to the Special Representative for North Korea Policy, as a fellow on the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, and as Bangladesh Country Officer in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.

Ambassador Christensen also served as one of two career Foreign Service members of the Foreign Service Impasses Disputes Panel, part of the US Federal Labor Relations Authority.

A distinguished graduate of the National War College, Ambassador Christensen earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy.

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He likewise holds a Master of Science in Statistics from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Managerial Studies from Rice University.

He speaks Spanish, German and Vietnamese, and has studied French, Japanese, and Portuguese.

Before joining the Foreign Service in 2002, he worked as a management consultant in Houston and New York City.