Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus on Friday, offering promises of enhanced cooperation as Dhaka seeks new alliances in light of deteriorating relations with neighboring India.
Yunus, who came to power in August 2024 after a student-led uprising ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, chose China as the destination for his first state visit. This shift in foreign policy comes as Bangladesh looks to counterbalance the close ties India had with Hasina’s government, which had provided significant support to Dhaka.
Xi assured Yunus that China is eager to strengthen bilateral ties, stating that Beijing is “willing to work with Bangladesh to push bilateral cooperation to a new level,” according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. He emphasized China’s commitment to being a “good neighbour, good friend and good partner” to Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect for each country’s core interests. Xi also pledged China’s support for Bangladesh on matters of national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed potential collaborations in infrastructure, water management, and digital, marine, and environmental sectors. Yunus’s visit was framed as a signal that Bangladesh is forging new partnerships, as evidenced by the expected signing of multiple agreements covering economic assistance, cultural cooperation, sports, and media relations.
The visit also comes at a time when Bangladesh is dealing with the ongoing refugee crisis caused by the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar. China has previously attempted to mediate between Bangladesh and Myanmar regarding the repatriation of the displaced Rohingya population, though these efforts have stalled.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have become increasingly tense, with both governments exchanging criticism ahead of Yunus’s trip to China. Notably, the diplomatic friction has affected medical tourism, as many Bangladeshis have historically traveled to India for healthcare. Talks in Beijing are also expected to address the establishment of a Chinese “Friendship Hospital” in Bangladesh.
Yunus’s caretaker administration faces the challenge of implementing democratic reforms before elections, which are expected by mid-2026. Additionally, Bangladesh has requested India to extradite Hasina, who faces charges related to the deaths of protesters during the unrest. Yunus has also sought a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though there has been no response yet.
