Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, in Beijing on Friday. The meeting, reported by AFP and Chinese state media, marks a significant diplomatic engagement as Bangladesh looks to diversify its alliances amid evolving regional ties, particularly with India.
Yunus is on a four-day visit to China, during which he also attended the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan. This visit is his first bilateral engagement since assuming office in August 2024 and coincides with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.
Bangladesh’s Economic and Strategic Outreach to China
Yunus’ visit to China is aimed at strengthening economic ties and attracting investment. He is accompanied by key officials, including:
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Foreign Affairs Adviser – Md Touhid Hossain
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Energy Adviser – Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan
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High Representative – Khalilur Rahman
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SDG Coordinator – Lamiya Morshed
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Press Secretary – Shafiqul Alam
During a national address on Tuesday evening, Yunus announced that Longji, China’s largest solar panel manufacturer, has expressed interest in setting up a factory in Bangladesh. Discussions during the visit also cover:
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Technical and medical assistance
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Affordable healthcare initiatives
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Trade expansion
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Chinese interest in importing Bangladeshi mangoes, jackfruit, and guava
Additionally, Bangladesh and China are expected to sign several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering:
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Human resource development
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Economic and technical cooperation
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Cultural exchanges
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Sports collaborations
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Media partnerships
China Seeks to Expand Influence in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been engaging with China on multiple fronts, with Yunus urging Beijing to revise financial terms on its loans. Key requests from Bangladesh include:
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Reducing interest rates on Chinese loans from 3% to 1-2%
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Waiving commitment fees on Chinese-funded projects
China currently ranks as Bangladesh’s fourth-largest lender, following Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Since 1975, China has provided Bangladesh with loans amounting to $7.5 billion.
A day before the high-profile meeting, China signaled its intent to strengthen ties with Dhaka, as reported by Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency. Bangladesh has reiterated its commitment to the One China policy and takes pride in being the first South Asian nation to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Why India Is Watching Closely
The growing proximity between Bangladesh and China comes at a time of strained Bangladesh-India relations following a political shift in Dhaka. The previous Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, was toppled on August 5, 2024, following a student-led uprising, leading to Hasina seeking refuge in India.
Yunus’ meeting with Xi Jinping is being interpreted as China’s strategic move to deepen its influence in Bangladesh, potentially reshaping regional power dynamics. Key concerns for India include:
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Erosion of India’s economic influence in Bangladesh due to increased Chinese investments
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Potential Chinese presence in the Bay of Bengal, affecting India's maritime security
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Chinese-backed infrastructure projects, particularly in ports, which could impact India’s regional interests
India’s Response: Awaiting a Meeting with Yunus
Ahead of his Beijing visit, Yunus formally proposed a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok next week. However, New Delhi has yet to respond.
India is closely monitoring developments, as Yunus’ visit to China on Bangladesh Liberation Day is seen by analysts as a calculated diplomatic signal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi, in a letter to Yunus on Bangladesh’s Independence Day, reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh.
A Regional Shift in Motion?
Yunus’ China visit marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s foreign policy as it navigates changing alliances. While Dhaka seeks to diversify economic partnerships and reduce dependency on India, Beijing appears eager to expand its foothold in South Asia.
With China poised to play a greater role in Bangladesh’s infrastructure and economic growth, India must now decide how to recalibrate its approach to maintain influence in a region of growing strategic importance. The next steps taken by New Delhi, Dhaka, and Beijing in the coming months will determine the balance of power in South Asia.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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