Bangladesh Pursues Chinese Friendship Amidst Deteriorating Ties with India

A 22-member delegation from Bangladesh is in China seeking to bolster ties with the Chinese government as relations with India weaken, particularly due to the controversial exile of former leader Sheikh Hasina and accusations against her administration.

A 22-member delegation, comprising political leaders, civil society activists, and journalists from Bangladesh, has embarked on a ten-day trip to China, where they’re set to engage with senior officials from the Chinese government and the ruling Communist Party. This visit, confirmed by a delegation leader, comes amidst increasing diplomatic strains between Dhaka and New Delhi, particularly concerning the extradition of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who currently lives in exile in India.

Abdul Moyeen Khan, a senior official from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is spearheading the delegation, which he described as a "goodwill visit" initiated by China. Notably, this delegation represents various factions within Bangladesh, signaling a shift in diplomatic dynamics. Among the members are individuals from the BNP, the principal opposition party, along with representatives of the student movement that played a role in toppling Hasina's government last year.

The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been vocal in its demand for India to repatriate Hasina, who faces multiple allegations, including crimes against humanity. Despite these claims, India has remained non-committal on the matter, complicating its relations with Bangladesh.

Historically, India and Bangladesh enjoyed close ties during Hasina's rule, which many critics label as pro-India. However, with her departure from power, China's influence in Bangladesh has surged, leading to increased diplomatic engagement between Beijing and Bangladeshi officials, including Islamist factions. This latest outreach follows prior meetings and represents the BNP's second visit to China in recent months.

China has solidified its position as Bangladesh's foremost trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $24 billion, primarily composed of Chinese exports. Furthermore, the Bangladeshi military's dependency on Chinese military supplies—over 70% of its requirements—further cements the relationship.

In contrast, India’s recent dealings with the interim government have been limited, provoking protests from the BNP accusing India of intervening in Bangladesh's internal affairs by harboring Hasina. This unrest has elicited sharp responses from Indian officials, with the Indian foreign minister asserting that Bangladesh must determine its relationship with India independent of external pressure.

The escalating tensions between Dhaka and Delhi could potentially steer Bangladesh further into China's orbit, aligning it with other South Asian nations like Sri Lanka and the Maldives in a regional power struggle between India and China. Chinese analyst Zhou Bo emphasized that India should not assume dominion over the entire subcontinent, as such a viewpoint may ultimately backfire.