The United States is considering the development of a port in Bangladesh under the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, a flagship initiative of the Quad grouping—comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—set to be formally launched later this month.
Highlights:
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- Bangladesh’s Geostrategic Advantage
- Ports as Engines of Growth
- Changing Political Context
- Balancing Competition and Cooperation
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According to some media reports, Washington has already engaged in preliminary consultations with stakeholders in Dhaka and is expected to carry out a comprehensive feasibility study before presenting formal proposals. Scheduled for 29–30 October 2025, the initiative aims to promote sustainable and resilient port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, mobilising public and private investment, facilitating knowledge exchange, and strengthening maritime connectivity.
The move comes at a time of heightened global attention on the Bay of Bengal, a maritime zone of growing strategic and economic value. In early September, the arrival of a US military contingent in Chattogram, Bangladesh’s busiest port, prompted discussion about Washington’s increased interest in the region.
Bangladesh’s location at the apex of the Bay of Bengal places it at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, offering access to India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan. With Chattogram handling more than 90 per cent of the country’s maritime trade, and Mongla and Payra emerging as important gateways, the country’s ports are widely recognised as crucial assets for regional connectivity and trade.
For Dhaka, port development is more than a matter of infrastructure—it is central to its vision of becoming a logistics and connectivity hub in the Indo-Pacific. The government has actively welcomed partnerships that combine investment, technology, and expertise to enhance capacity, while ensuring that such cooperation contributes to national development priorities.
Globally, ports serve as gateways to prosperity, with more than 80 per cent of goods transported by sea. They not only facilitate commerce but also stimulate industrial growth and enable supply chain resilience. For Bangladesh, partnerships in port development are essential to achieving its long-term economic ambitions, given the scale of investment and technical know-how required.
By engaging with multiple partners, Bangladesh has ensured that no single external actor dominates its infrastructure landscape. Chinese involvement in Chattogram, Indian and Chinese interests in Mongla, and Japan’s development of the deep-sea port at Matarbari reflect this strategy of diversification. The possibility of US engagement adds another dimension, expanding opportunities for trade facilitation, skills development, and technology transfer.
The renewed interest from the United States coincides with political changes in both Dhaka and Washington. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has maintained an open and pragmatic stance towards international partners. His message of readiness for collaboration following President Donald Trump’s electoral victory in January 2025 underscores Bangladesh’s intent to work constructively with diverse stakeholders.
Trade links further bind the two countries. The US is Bangladesh’s single-largest market for ready-made garment exports, while Bangladesh is increasingly reliant on American agricultural imports. Expanded cooperation in infrastructure would therefore reinforce an already vital economic partnership.
The Quad’s Ports of the Future Partnership sets out ambitious goals: framing ports as engines of economic growth, strengthening supply chains, integrating smart and sustainable technologies, and advancing shipbuilding ecosystems. Bangladesh’s potential inclusion in this initiative aligns with its own developmental priorities and aspirations to become a regional connectivity hub.
Nevertheless, analysts note that external interest in Bangladesh’s ports must be carefully balanced. While competition among major powers is an undeniable reality, Dhaka has consistently emphasised that its partnerships are guided by national interest, economic modernisation, and the pursuit of regional stability.
Handled wisely, a US-supported port project would reinforce Bangladesh’s role as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia, while also enhancing its contribution to a cooperative Indo-Pacific order. The country’s ability to navigate great-power dynamics with diplomatic agility will determine whether such initiatives translate into sustainable growth and strengthened regional connectivity.
Farrukh Khosru