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Bangladesh
Bangladesh (East Pakistan until 1971) is a Muslim-majority
South Asian nation bordering India and Burma (Myanmar)
on the Bay of Bengal. The world's eighth most populous
country, with approximately 169 million people, it has a
land area about the size of Iowa. Its democratic system has
faced many serious challenges, including political violence,
weak governance, corruption, poverty, demographic and
environmental strains, and Islamist militancy. The United
States and Bangladesh have partnered on various issues and
worked together to promote shared interests, including
advancing a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive,
peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
In August 2024, student-led protests in Bangladesh led to
the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had
secured a fourth consecutive term in office in January 2024
parliamentary elections that were boycotted by major
opposition parties and described by the U.S. Department of
State as not free or fair. Bangladesh is a parliamentary
democracy that conducts regular elections, but analysts
expressed concern that it was backsliding toward a hybrid
regime combining elements of authoritarianism and
democracy under Hasina and her Awami League (AL)
party. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) functioned
as the main opposition party during Hasina's tenure. The
future of both parties and of Bangladesh's overall political
landscape is now uncertain. An interim government headed
by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning
economist, is set to remain in place until new elections are
held; no plans have been announced for that potential vote.
The interim government faces a range of challenges,
including high inflation, high youth unemployment, and
slowing growth-factors that contributed to dissatisfaction
with Hasina's rule. The World Bank assesses that
Bangladesh's economic growth rate fell from an estimated
7.1% in 2022 to 6% in 2023. The Economist Intelligence
Unit (EIU) expects growth to decelerate further in light of
the political situation and persistent inflation. Some experts
have raised concerns that political instability may
undermine Bangladesh's garment industry as international
buyers seek alternative suppliers. Readymade garments
accounted for 85% ofBangladesh's exports in 2023. The
World Bank reported remittances to Bangladesh of $21.5
billion in 2022.
Relations with the United States
The United States has long-standing relations with
Bangladesh, and is among its largest export markets and
sources of foreign investment. The Obama, Trump, and
Biden Administrations, and many Members of Congress,
have focused on issues relating to Rohingya refugees from
Burma, democracy, good governance, economic
development, humanitarian concerns, labor rights, human
rights, and counterterrorism. The United States and
Updated November 4, 2024
Bangladesh hold annual bilateral Partnership Dialogues and
Security Dialogues, and have developed a cooperative
security relationship to meet shared concerns, including
violent extremism and regional security.
In a September 2024 meeting with Yunus, Secretary of
State Antony Blinken underscored U.S. support and
assistance for the Interim Government as it guides
[Bangladesh] towards economic stability and highlighted
the importance of reforms to ensure continued foreign
direct investment. Blinken noted the importance of free
and fair elections as well as the need for strong institutions
to fight corruption and protect human rights. Some
Members of Congress have urged the Biden Administration
to seek accountability for Hasina government officials
implicated in human rights violations that took place in
response to the 2024 protests, including by imposing
targeted sanctions. Some Members have expressed concern
about violence targeting minority groups, including Hindus,
in the immediate aftermath ofHasina's resignation.
Figure I. Bangladesh in Brief
sources: uIA World ractbook, World bank, LIU.
Rohngya
The predominantly Muslim Rohingya have faced
persecution in Buddhist-majority Burma for decades.
Violent attacks by the Burmese military and others in 2017
and 2018 displaced over one million Rohingya in Burma's
Rakhine state; most fled to Bangladesh. Approximately one
million Rohingya currently reside in Bangladesh, testing the
government's ability to provide adequate security, food,
and sanitation. Bangladesh officials have criticized Burma
for its failure to take steps to repatriate the Rohingya, whom
the Burmese government views as non-citizens. Bangladesh
began relocating Rohingya from existing camps in](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/goverfe0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)