The United States has set its sights on a Bangladeshi port as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, according to a report by The Economic Times.
The initiative falls under the Quad’s “Ports for the Future” program, aimed at balancing China’s growing presence in the Bay of Bengal. Washington has already held preliminary talks in Dhaka with local stakeholders.
The report also noted that the US military is active in strategically vital Chattogram. Notably, India has no role yet in Washington’s plan, although New Delhi is considering a public-private partnership to develop a Bangladeshi port. Meanwhile, Japan is building a deep-sea port at Matarbari, and India previously secured operational rights for a Mongla port terminal in 2024 under Sheikh Hasina’s government.