[🇧🇩] China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

[🇧🇩] China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh
267
11K
More threads by Saif

G Bangladesh Defense
Bangladesh must form a strategic alliance with China, Pakistan, and Turkey. Otherwise, Bangladesh will not be able to handle India alone. Strategically we are more aligned to China than to India.

Absolutely! No question.
 

Bangladesh, China foreign secretaries to hold talks in Dhaka in early April

Chinese envoy calls on Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.

Diplomatic Correspondent

Published: 12 Mar 2026, 14: 31

1773362727174.webp


Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen pays a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on 12 March 2026. Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The 14th Bangladesh-China Diplomatic Consultations between the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and China is set to take place in Dhaka at the beginning of next month.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong will visit Dhaka on 2 April for a two-day trip to lead the Chinese side at the consultations.

This will be the first high-level visit from Beijing to Dhaka since the BNP formed a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen informed Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman about the upcoming visit during a courtesy call today, Thursday morning. The meeting took place at the foreign minister’s residence and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was also present.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the 14th Bangladesh-China Diplomatic Consultations are expected to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China and explore new avenues for enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest. During his visit Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong is also expected to meet high level dignitaries during the visit.

Acknowledging China’s longstanding support and contribution to Bangladesh’s development journey, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman expressed hope that the visit would inject new momentum into Bangladesh-China bilateral relations following the formation of the new Government.

Mentioning China’s long-standing support and contributions to Bangladesh’s development journey, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman expressed hope that the visit, following the formation of the new government, would inject new momentum into Bangladesh–China bilateral relations.​
 

Khalilur set for first China trip since BNP took office

Foreign minister expected to visit Beijing towards the end of this month

Porimol Palma

1775608427419.webp

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. File photo

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit China towards the end of this month, in what will be his first official trip to the country since the BNP assumed office this February.

Separately, a BNP delegation led by its Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will visit China for a week in mid-April at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

“The date of the foreign minister’s visit to Beijing has not been fixed yet, but it will be towards the end of this month,” a foreign ministry official told The Daily Star.

During the visit, Khalilur is likely to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss bilateral relations.

“He is also likely to seek China’s support for his candidacy for the presidency of the UN General Assembly,” the ministry official said.

A diplomatic source in Beijing said the meeting between the two foreign ministers would review the current state of bilateral ties, the foreign policy priorities of the BNP government, and the next steps in cooperation.

“China pays high importance to its relationship with Bangladesh,” a Chinese diplomat said.

China has already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and the foreign minister’s visit to Beijing could pave the way for a high-level trip, the diplomat added.

China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, with exports amounting to $23 billion, and remains a major funding partner of infrastructure projects in the country.

A significant portion of imports from China comprises machinery and raw materials.

During the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, leaders from different political parties, including BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and leftist groups were invited to visit China.

Chinese diplomats say such visits form part of the CPC’s efforts to build relationships with all political parties.​
 

Ties with India, China not zero‑sum, Khalilur tells Indian media

The foreign minister says any concerns India may have in this regard should be put to rest

Star Online Report

1775955155252.webp

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. File photo

Bangladesh’s relationship with India or China is not a zero-sum game, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has said, assuring that any concerns India may have in this regard should be put to rest.

A zero‑sum game in international relations refers to a situation where one country’s gain equals another’s loss, often leading to competition over cooperation.

“Our relationship with India or China is not a zero‑sum game. If there are worries, we expect our Indian friends to state them clearly with specifics,” Khalilur told Indian media during his visit to Mauritius on Friday.

He discussed various aspects of Indo‑Bangla ties, which saw strains during the interim government but are now moving toward improvement.

During his April 7–9 visit to New Delhi, Khalilur met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval before flying to Mauritius to attend the Indian Ocean Conference.

In a separate interview with The Hindu in Port Louis, he mentioned a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India.

“There will be a visit, but we have not yet finalised the dates. In the run‑up to the visit, there will be many activities,” he said, as he elaborated on how Bangladesh wants to improve relations slowly but surely.

Speaking to NDTV, Khalilur stressed: “Our relations with other countries are not at the cost of India. We cooperate fruitfully with China and do brisk business with India. We have negative trade [trade deficit] with both countries. These are dictated by market prices.”

“Let us put these worries to rest and not view these relationships in ways that do not help. If there are issues, let us work together. Tell us if there is any specific problem,” he said, adding that both countries are willing to engage and move forward.

“However, success must be based on trust and confidence. That’s why I told my Indian counterparts we prefer to move surely, slowly but steadily, to build confidence between our peoples. It might take time, but that way it will be durable. We must not repeat past mistakes and must keep dialogue open under all circumstances -- good or bad.”

Amid the fuel supply challenges arising from the war in the Middle East, Khalilur emphasised cooperation not only in energy but also in other areas of common interest. He expressed satisfaction with India’s assurance of increasing energy supplies to Bangladesh.

The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India expires in December, while the Teesta deal remains unsigned despite preparations in 2011 -- issues that have raised concerns in Bangladesh.

Khalilur said the Ganges water is a matter of life and death, and Bangladesh seeks a new or revised treaty that meets essential needs.

“The risk of not sharing water appropriately means our livelihood and agriculture are affected, and climate vulnerability increases. An equitable, climate‑proof arrangement will be one of the first tests of our reset,” he said.

On climate challenges, Khalilur stressed long‑term solutions: “People are people -- whether in India or Bangladesh. They face the same crises. I see no option but to work together in good faith with eyes on the future.”

He noted that Bangladesh resumed issuing all types of visas to Indians three days after the new government took office and expects reciprocity. “People‑to‑people contact will sustain our relations. If they cannot reach us, you deny a vital source of trust and confidence.”

Suspension of Indian visas had created humanitarian problems, he said, with Bangladeshis seeking medical treatment in Kunming, Bangkok, and Singapore. “I hope our Indian colleagues understand this and ease restrictions in the coming weeks.”

The foreign minister also said Bangladesh faced propaganda from India after the fall of the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina’s escape to India, which deeply concerned policymakers in Dhaka.

“The problem is that wrong narratives create perceptions stronger than reality. Let us ensure our narratives are not negative while we build confidence and trust.”​
 

Latest Posts

Back