The US State Department voiced concern ahead of the election, accusing Bangladesh of foot-dragging on letting in electoral observers and urging greater efforts to ensure a free vote. "I think the bottom line is that the US sees Sheikh Hasina as a useful partner. Limited scope to criticizeThe United States see a friendly rapport with Bangladesh as vital to Washington's goal of an open, US-friendly Indo-Pacific region. He said that Sheikh Hasina had turned Bangladesh into a country like Cambodia or Venezuela, where the United States to varying degrees had criticized strongmen. "The United States is the largest bilateral investor and largest trading market," he said.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 11, 2019 19:18 UTC