Bangladesh Deepens Diplomatic Engagement With China As BNP Team Goes To Beijing

Last Updated:June 24, 2025, 07:00 IST

This visit follows a series of diplomatic engagements involving Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan, highlighting Dhaka's growing strategic interest in the region

Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus visited China in March, further strengthening bilateral ties. (Image: PTI/File)

A high-level delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, left for China to strengthen bilateral ties with Beijing.

This visit follows a series of diplomatic engagements involving Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan, highlighting Dhaka’s growing strategic interest in the region.

On June 19, Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan held an informal trilateral meeting during the 9th China-South Asia Exposition and the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum in Kunming. The meeting was attended by Bangladesh’s Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, and Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.

The Bangladesh government stated that the discussions focused on potential areas of trilateral cooperation based on mutual trust and a shared vision for regional peace, prosperity, and stability. Key areas identified for collaboration included infrastructure, connectivity, trade, investment, agriculture, healthcare, ICT, maritime affairs, disaster preparedness, and climate change.

The acting foreign secretary of Bangladesh highlighted the importance of aligning national development plans under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. He stressed on the need for strong partnerships among the three countries to improve livelihoods and provide tangible benefits to their populations.

The frequency of high-level visits from Dhaka to Beijing underscores the growing rapport between the two countries. Notably, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus visited China in March, further strengthening bilateral ties.

Analysts believe these visits indicate Bangladesh’s intent to diversify its foreign relations and leverage China’s regional influence. They said with national elections approaching next year, the BNP – at present, the largest opposition party with a viable chance of returning to power — is actively strengthening ties with China.

This is not the party’s first visit to Beijing; earlier this year, another delegation visited China for an exchange programme. On a broader strategic level, Bangladesh and China are closely collaborating on various projects, including the development of the Lalmonirhat airstrip, the Teesta River project, and agricultural trade, particularly mango exports.

Observers further noted Pakistan’s increasing diplomatic presence in Dhaka following the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Simultaneously, Bangladesh’s engagements with China have intensified, suggesting a regional realignment.

Given the shifting dynamics in Dhaka and rising geopolitical interests, sources said India is closely monitoring these developments.

Kamalika Sengupta

Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar...Read More

Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar...

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News world Bangladesh Deepens Diplomatic Engagement With China As BNP Team Goes To Beijing