Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday vowed to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh, marking a significant diplomatic gesture during a state visit by Bangladeshi President Muhammad Yunus. Yunus’s visit comes amid his efforts to forge new alliances, particularly as tensions with neighboring India have escalated following his assumption of office last August.
Yunus took power after the toppling of Bangladesh’s long-standing autocratic leader, Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following a student-led uprising. Hasina had been a close ally of India, and her removal has significantly strained relations between the two countries. In a move signaling a pivot away from India, Yunus chose China as the destination for his first state visit, aiming to deepen ties with Beijing, India’s largest regional rival.
During the meeting, Xi expressed China’s readiness to elevate bilateral cooperation, pledging to work with Bangladesh to advance their partnership to new heights.
The two leaders discussed potential collaborations across various sectors, including infrastructure development, water management, digital technologies, marine, and environmental protection. Xi reaffirmed China’s support for Bangladesh’s national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Shafiqul Alam, Yunus’s chief press secretary, hailed the meeting as a “great success,” praising Xi’s “warmth and cordiality” and expressing optimism about future Chinese investments in Bangladesh. Alam added that this visit marked the beginning of a new chapter in Sino-Bangladeshi relations, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation and investment.
Bangladesh’s government has highlighted the strategic importance of Yunus’s visit, interpreting it as a clear message to the international community about the country’s foreign policy shift. Yunus, a Nobel laureate and prominent advocate for democratic reforms, is expected to return home on Saturday after holding a series of high-level meetings in Beijing.
Several agreements are anticipated, focusing on economic and technical aid, cultural exchanges, and media cooperation. Talks are also expected to address the plight of the Rohingya refugees, a group of persecuted Myanmar nationals who sought refuge in Bangladesh after fleeing a brutal military crackdown in 2017. China has previously mediated repatriation talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar, although progress has stalled due to Myanmar’s reluctance to accept the refugees.
India-Bangladesh Tensions
Yunus’s visit comes amid growing tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly regarding the treatment of Bangladeshis seeking medical care in India. The diplomatic fallout from Yunus’s rise to power has led to a near halt in medical tourism, which previously saw thousands of Bangladeshis cross the border annually for treatment.
Dhaka has also pushed for the extradition of Hasina, who remains in India, to face charges related to the deaths of protesters during the unrest that led to her downfall. Yunus has indicated his desire to reset relations with India and has requested a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders are expected to attend a regional summit in Bangkok next month, though the Indian government has yet to respond to Yunus’s request.
In the meantime, Yunus’s government faces the daunting task of navigating democratic reforms and preparing for elections expected by mid-2026. The president’s administration has also proposed the establishment of a Chinese-funded “Friendship Hospital” in Bangladesh, aimed at addressing healthcare needs exacerbated by strained ties with India.
This strategic shift towards China, as well as Yunus’s broader diplomatic efforts, signal a recalibration of Bangladesh’s foreign policy amid growing regional tensions.
