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The Diplomat
5 days ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
Bangladesh's Post-Hasina Foreign Policy Reset
Following Sheikh Hasina's exit from power in August 2024, Bangladesh began reshaping its foreign policy, gradually moving away from its India-centric posture and pursuing a more diversified diplomatic approach. The interim government has sought to deepen engagement with China, Pakistan, and Western powers such as the United States and the European Union. India, long considered a supporter of Hasina's regime, now faces criticism from Bangladeshis who accuse it of meddling. A major milestone came during Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' visit to China in March 2025. The trip underscored Beijing's emergence as a key economic partner. Bangladesh secured $2.1 billion in loans, investments, and grants, including $400 million for the modernization of Mongla Port and $350 million for the Chinese Industrial Economic Zone in Chattogram. Eight MoUs were signed, covering areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, and hydrological data sharing related to the Yarlung Tsangpo-Yamuna River. Notably, China's renewed interest in the Teesta River project – long stalled due to tensions with India – illustrates Dhaka's strategic pivot toward Beijing as a counterweight to Indian influence. Other outcomes included an extension of duty-free access for 99 percent of Bangladeshi exports until 2028, discussions to reduce interest rates on Chinese loans, and talks on setting up Chinese factories in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Moreover, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency recently warned that China is considering establishing a military presence in several countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar. However, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has dismissed the report, denying that China has any such intentions regarding Bangladesh. The potential launch of a direct Chittagong-Kunming flight and a boost in cultural exchanges further solidified this evolving partnership. China also reiterated support for Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, aligning with Dhaka's push for international cooperation. China has also engaged with Bangladesh's political actors. In June and July 2025, both the BNP and JI sent delegations to China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party. The BNP team, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, held high-level meetings with CCP Politburo member Li Hongzhong, who extended an invitation to the BNP's acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. Around the same time, a high level JI delegation focused on party-to-party governance exchanges and future development projects. These visits reflect Beijing's effort to build ties across Bangladesh's political spectrum as the BNP and JI gain momentum in the post-Hasina landscape. At the same time, Bangladesh has rekindled relations with Pakistan, which were strained under Hasina due to historical baggage from the 1971 Liberation War. Since August 2024, bilateral trade has grown, with new cooperation in construction, food, pharmaceuticals, and IT. The formation of a joint business council and Pakistan's offer of 300 fully funded scholarships signal growing warmth. Defense ties have also progressed, with January 2025 talks on joint exercises and potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder jets as part of Bangladesh's Forces Goal 2030 modernization plan. In a further sign of shifting regional dynamics, a trilateral meeting took place in Kunming in June, involving representatives from China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Although Dhaka declined to join any alliance, the timing suggests growing coordination. These developments point to Beijing's broader ambition to reshape the strategic landscape in South Asia through Pakistan and Bangladesh, leveraging its economic and political clout to challenge India's traditional dominance. This recent activity of China's strategic presence has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. Yunus' earlier remarks in China, describing Bangladesh as a gateway to India's Northeast and an extension of China's economy, have only amplified Indian anxieties. In Bangladesh, the perception that India supported Hasina's regime has deepened public mistrust. Bangladesh's relations with India have thus sharply deteriorated. Tensions were exacerbated by Dhaka's demand for Hasina's extradition. The interim government wants her returned to Bangladesh to face charges related to corruption and human rights abuses during her tenure. India's reluctance to comply, citing legal and diplomatic complexities, has fueled accusations in Bangladesh that it is shielding a discredited leader. This standoff has deepened anti-India sentiment, with many Bangladeshis viewing New Delhi's stance as evidence of continued interference in their country's affairs. Efforts to stabilize bilateral ties have been hampered by mutual distrust and competing narratives. India has expressed unease over Bangladesh's warming relations with China and Pakistan, particularly the trilateral Kunming meeting, which New Delhi may perceive as a deliberate attempt to counterbalance its influence. In response, India has doubled down on its narrative of protecting minority rights in Bangladesh, particularly for Hindus, which Dhaka dismisses as a pretext for meddling. Critics in Bangladesh, however, view India's focus on minority rights as hypocritical, given its own internal record. The attack on Bangladesh's diplomatic compound in Agartala in December last year, where protesters from Indian far-right organizations burned the national flag of Bangladesh, served as a warning signal for the trajectory of relations. The attack triggered outrage in Dhaka. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry condemned the Agartala attack as a breach of the Vienna Convention, signaling a more assertive diplomatic posture. The interim government's push for accountability regarding Hasina's regime, coupled with India's strategic imperative to maintain a foothold in Bangladesh, suggests that relations will remain turbulent unless a framework can address the extradition issue and broader geopolitical concerns. Bangladesh's foreign policy has clearly changed in the year since Hasina's exit. The country is moving away from its heavy reliance on India and building stronger ties with China, Pakistan, and Western nations. As Bangladesh becomes more confident on the global stage, relations with India have become tense. Unless both sides find a common ground this mistrust is likely to continue.
India.com
12-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Which policy of China has brought Bangladesh and Pakistan closer to Beijing and why India should be worried?
New Delhi: The growing closeness between China, Pakistan and Bangladesh has become a matter of concern for India. On June 19, representatives of the three countries met in Kunming, China on the alternative to SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Pakistan is already in debt to China and China's influence is also increasing in Bangladesh. CDS General Anil Chauhan had recently expressed concern about this. What are Pakistan, Turkey and China working on? Turkey is also involved in this matter, which is providing military assistance to Pakistan and strengthening its defense ties with Bangladesh. In such a situation, India can get caught in a difficult diplomatic situation. Pakistan takes loans from China and buys weapons. Its economy is based on loans from IMF and China. More than 80% of Pakistan's military equipment comes from China. The World Bank estimates that it may take more than 40 years for Pakistan to repay its debt to China. China wants to take advantage of this situation to increase its dominance in South Asia. According to reports, China also supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Where does Bangladesh stand? Indian Army Deputy Chief Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh had alleged that China had given active military assistance to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. However, China has denied this allegation. Some people even saw this war as a test of Chinese weapons. China is also trying to defame companies supplying weapons to India. On the other hand, Bangladesh is also getting trapped in China's debt. The situation has worsened after the fall of the Hasina government in August 2024 following student protests. Muhammad Yunus' interim government is showing signs of aligning with China. Why should India be worried? China's growing influence on Pakistan and Bangladesh is worrying for India. China is interfering in Pakistan through infrastructure projects. Bangladesh is also taking loans from China and getting closer to Pakistan. The situation has worsened after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. A survey by Chatham House in June 2025 revealed that 75% of Bangladeshis prefer China, while only 11% prefer Indian. In the last few years, it has been propagated that India was supporting the Hasina government, which was infamous for its dictatorship. Anti-Hasina sentiments have also affected India. Muhammad Yunus' interim government is building good relations with Pakistan and military ties between the two countries are also growing.
First Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Indian Personnel Abducted by Bangladeshi Villagers at the Border Vantage with Palki Sharma
Indian Personnel Abducted by Bangladeshi Villagers at the Border | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Indian Personnel Abducted by Bangladeshi Villagers at the Border | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G One Indian trooper was abducted near the Bangladesh border as he tried to push back against an alleged infiltration attempt on Wednesday. The incident comes amid multiple "push ins" by India to return illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Will these incidents lead to an escalation? Is Muhammad Yunus' refusal to cooperate with India making matters worse? Palki Sharma tells you. See More
News18
20-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Under The Shadow Of Western Disturbances, India-Bangladesh Friendship Falters
Last Updated: The unfolding geo-political situation has made the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations more strained than ever before in the past decade A series of trade crackdowns on Bangladesh—from the trans-shipment facility shutdown to the ban on key imports through land ports—is more than just economic retaliation. With Muhammad Yunus' regime taking repeated swipes at India's northeast, Pakistan sending high-level military and ministerial delegations to Dhaka, and China circling closer, the message is unmissable. In addition to that, a subtle but strategic prodding from the exiled Awami League leadership throws emerging complex questions—Is Bangladesh's interim regime testing how far it can push India before ties rupture completely? Or Is India done with addressing Bangladesh as the 'friendly' neighbour? Even as foreign policy experts and senior diplomats who served in Bangladesh weigh in, it appears that the unfolding geo-political situation has made the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations more strained than ever before in the past decade. Many see the bilateral trade-related actions by Indian government as moves 'laden with economic and geopolitical implications". A senior diplomat, who served in Bangladesh, said: 'The trade relations between India and Bangladesh are not just about economic interests. It is crucial for South-East Asia's stability and unity. This also leads to progress and development for both nations. However, the interim government in Bangladesh has been taking certain policy decisions and supporting an international narrative which is not conducive to stable bilateral relations." Beyond Trade, Ties Fraying Fast Apart from trade ties, India and Bangladesh witnessed multiple collaborations on several fronts, including power, railways, and culture. According to a ministry of commerce document, the 15th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade (JWG) between India and Bangladesh took place on September 26 and 27, 2023, in Dhaka. 'The discussions covered a range of bilateral issues, including the elimination of port restrictions, preparations for the initiation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), standard harmonisation, mutual recognition of standards, the supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh, the enhancement of road and rail infrastructure, regional connectivity through multi-modal transportation, and the establishment and strengthening of infrastructure in Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts, border Haats and so one," said a review report by the IBEF. However, since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime, all such efforts are now almost suspended. Senior diplomats said the foreign policy decisions would remain 'unpredictable" until the country elects its government. In April 2023, India and Bangladesh also agreed to settle a part of the bilateral trade transactions in their own currencies—Rupee and Taka—to ease pressure on dollar holdings. Indian Railways, under grant assistance from the government of India, handed over 20 Broad Gauge (BG) diesel locomotives to Bangladesh, fulfilling an important earlier commitment. All such collaborations and goodwill movements are now almost on hold following the Bangladesh interim government's decisions. First Published: May 20, 2025, 09:27 IST
News18
19-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Muhammad Yunus's Adviser Says Bangladesh Open To Talks With India Amid Export Curbs
Last Updated: India's trade restrictions will impact $770 million, which amounts to nearly 42 per cent of total Bangladeshi imports. An adviser from Muhammad Yunus' interim government responded to India's restrictions on Bangladeshi exports via land ports, stating that Bangladesh is committed to resolving all pending trade issues with New Delhi. Sheikh Bashiruddin, the commerce adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, stated that no formal communication had been received from India regarding the trade restrictions. 'We do not know anything officially about India's steps yet. We will be able to take action after we know officially. If any problems arise, both sides will discuss and try to resolve them," he said. India has imposed a ban on importing several items from Bangladesh via road routes, including readymade garments, fruit-based and carbonated beverages, baked goods, snacks, confectionery, cotton waste, plastic products, and wooden furniture. This move follows Bangladesh's earlier decision to prohibit yarn imports from India by land. Additionally, India withdrew the trans-shipment facility that allowed Bangladeshi goods to be exported to third countries. These reciprocal trade measures have emerged amid rising diplomatic tensions, which were fueled by last year's ousting of Sheikh Hasina and reports of persecution against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. 'We have learned from social media and news that they (India) have taken some decisions regarding land ports, especially Akhaura and Dawki ports, and some border areas. Our main goal is to achieve competitiveness. This is a profitable matter for both countries", he added. 'We think that India itself is a rich country in the textile or clothing industry. Even then, when these products are exported from our country, it is based on our capabilities. We are not affected by trans-shipping. We have solved this problem on our own using our capabilities", the Adviser said. 'Since we are a geographically connected country, our competitiveness, transportation costs and other factors are fixed. In this regard, we impose restrictions on the import of our agricultural products at different times; India also does. This is a process of trade management, and we are working on that. If a problem arises or develops there, both parties will discuss and try to resolve it," Bashiruddin said. India's trade restrictions will impact $770 million, which amounts to nearly 42 per cent of total Bangladeshi imports. After India's retaliatory action, Bangladesh would have to export its ready-made garments in India through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports. (With ANI Inputs) First Published:
