Maxwell Martin Two departments of the United States are giving final touches to policies which will benefit Bangladesh private sector under the much-talked-about US Indo-Pacific Strategy, says a diplomatic source.
A senior official of the US Embassy in Dhaka said Thursday the US Department of Labor and Department of Commerce are engaged in finalising the policies,
He holds the hope that coming years will see increased economic activities under the IPS umbrella that covers few economic powers of the region.
"The U.S.-Bangladesh relationship is driven by our nations' shared history, common values, and future potential. It is not defined by India, China, Russia, or any third country," said Maxwell Martin.
The IPS Officer of the US Embassy struck the upbeat note about the benefits of the US intuitive while briefing a select group of journalists at the mission.
"U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific is just one aspect of our wide-ranging bilateral relationship," he said.
Dhaka has taken a cautious stance on the emergent platform that keeps aside China-an emerging economic superpower considered by many as America's principal strategic rival, and spelt out a complementary cooperation framework styled Indo-Pacific Outlook.
As the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing region, the Indo-Pacific is a leading priority for U.S. foreign policy and essential to shared global security and prosperity, he explains.
Responding to a question he said, "We welcomed the release of Bangladesh's Indo-Pacific Outlook in April 2023. We have many common interests and look forward to engaging on them, particularly in building inclusive economic prosperity and environmental and social resilience in the face of 21st- century transnational threats."
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy is a positive, progressive, and shared vision for the region.
He made it clear that the Indo-Pacific Strategy is not a military alliance, nor does it seek to become one. "It is defined by what we stand for, not what we are against."
He goes on trying to give a clear vision of the strategy: "It is not a club one can join, but a vision shared by many nations and peoples. Our vision is not about forcing countries to choose between the United States and any other partner."
It is about ensuring that the region is free and open so countries can freely make their own choices.
About China he said, "Regarding relations in the region, many countries, including the United States, have vital economic or people-to-people ties with China that they want to preserve. Every nation will navigate its bilateral relations and interests differently. We do not expect every country to have the same assessment of China as we do."
He told the journalists that President Biden has made clear that the United States and China can and should work together on global challenges like climate change, macroeconomic stability, health security, and food security.
"We seek to manage competition in the U.S.-China relationship responsibly and are determined to avoid confrontation or conflict," he pointed out.
"However, managing competition responsibly takes willing parties. It requires strategic maturity to accept we must maintain open lines of communication even as we compete."
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, released in February 2022, lays out "a commitment and shared vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is free and open and becomes ever more connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient".
He mentions that many countries and peoples in the Indo-Pacific share aspects of this vision for the region. "When we work together, we can build a better future together."
Mr Martin said the United States works closely with partners to ensure the Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, and accessible, to build connections within and beyond it, to drive regional prosperity, to bolster regional security, and to advance regional resilience to 21st-century transnational threats.
Incidentally, the IPS move comes against the backdrop of China's flagship scheme Belt and Road Initiative or BRI.
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