By admin 
A major diplomatic shift is underway as a 22-member delegation from Bangladesh, consisting of political leaders, civil society members, academics, and journalists, embarks on a 10-day visit to China. Organized at Beijing’s invitation, this “goodwill visit” aims to strengthen bilateral ties at a time when relations between Dhaka and New Delhi are becoming increasingly strained.
“This is essentially a goodwill visit initiated by Beijing,” stated Abdul Moyeen Khan, a senior leader from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in an interview.
“It is unique because China has invited a delegation representing diverse groups from Bangladesh,” he added.
Leading the delegation, Khan and his team will engage in discussions with Chinese government officials and senior figures from the ruling Communist Party.
This visit takes place against a backdrop of deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been in exile in India since her removal from power in August, with Delhi refusing Dhaka’s request for her extradition. Hasina’s administration had faced intense criticism for its handling of protests, which reportedly led to approximately 1,400 deaths, according to UN sources.
China has been actively expanding its engagement with Bangladeshi political leaders, activists, and delegations, including those from Islamist factions. This visit follows a January meeting between the interim government’s foreign policy advisor, Touhid Hossain, and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The BNP, in particular, has strengthened its ties with Beijing, making multiple visits in recent months as part of China’s growing diplomatic outreach.
Experts suggest that China’s increasing involvement in Bangladesh aligns with its broader strategy to expand influence in South Asia. With a population of around 170 million, Bangladesh presents a significant economic and strategic opportunity for Beijing. The two nations already share strong trade ties, with annual bilateral trade reaching approximately $24 billion—mostly comprised of Chinese exports.
In contrast, India’s engagement with Bangladesh’s interim government and political leaders has been minimal in recent months. The BNP has openly protested against what it describes as India’s interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, drawing a sharp response from Delhi. India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently stated that it is up to Bangladesh to decide “what kind of relationship they want with us.”
With tensions escalating, some analysts believe Bangladesh may be moving closer to China. Chinese analyst Zhou Bo remarked that India should not assume dominance over the entire subcontinent, warning, “That attitude would make India suffer.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is preparing for upcoming elections, expected to take place between December this year and March next year. The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has continued pressing India for Hasina’s repatriation to face charges related to crimes against humanity and financial misconduct.
Gill Bikram Singh