Will Work With Whoever Wins Election, Says US Ambassador

By Sadik Sagar, Dhaka, January 25, 2026

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen has said that Washington does not support any particular political party in Bangladesh and is committed to working with whichever government is elected in the February 12 general elections.

Speaking at the EMK Centre in Dhaka on January 21, Christensen described the choice of government as a “sovereign decision” of the Bangladeshi people and said no foreign country has the right to interfere in the people’s mandate. The event marked his first interaction with journalists since assuming office.

The ambassador said Bangladesh and the United States have strong potential to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, economic engagement, and security. He expressed optimism about the future of relations between the two countries and said he looked forward to Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, describing them as historic.

Christensen noted that the US Embassy maintains dialogue with all political actors, regardless of who is in power, and said this approach reflects long-standing US diplomatic practice. “The United States is determined to work with whoever is elected by the people on February 12,” he said.

Drawing on his long association with the country, the ambassador said he has maintained cordial relations with individuals across Bangladesh’s political spectrum over the past two decades. He added that he has worked closely on US policy toward Bangladesh and the wider region for more than 20 years.

As ambassador, Christensen said his primary responsibility is to advance the interests of the American people and the agenda of US President Donald Trump, which he described as making the United States “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” He explained that the “America First” foreign policy does not imply disengagement from global partnerships, but rather prioritising citizens’ interests.

Citing more than 50 years of partnership, Christensen said the two countries have worked together to promote regional stability, economic growth, and respect for sovereignty, and he expressed interest in further strengthening bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, a report published by the Washington Post on January 22 said US diplomats are seeking to expand engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami, citing audio recordings from a closed-door meeting with Bangladeshi journalists in December. According to the report, a US diplomat suggested the Islamist party could perform strongly in the upcoming elections and indicated openness to dialogue.

In response, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dhaka said the meeting was a routine, off-the-record discussion in which multiple political parties were mentioned. The spokesperson reiterated that the United States does not favour any political party and plans to work with whichever government is elected by the Bangladeshi people.