Tariq skips India, chooses China on first visit; Dhaka's new government's "Bangladesh-first" policy sidelines New Delhi.
Prime Minister Tariq Rahman of Bangladesh visited China from June 24 to 26 — his first foreign trip since assuming office in February and following BNP’s victory with 209 seats. He first went to Malaysia, then Beijing, while Modi’s invitation letter still remains in a drawer.
Why China instead of India?
First, China has been Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching $24.05 billion in 2024. Major infrastructure projects currently under construction include the Padma Bridge Rail Link, the Karnaphuli River Underwater Tunnel, modernization of Mongla Port, the Tista River Management Project, and the Dhaka Water Treatment Plant — all built by Chinese enterprises.
Second, Hasina’s prolonged stay in India, annual cross-border shootings targeting civilians, disputes over transboundary water resources, and the anti-India “exit India” movement — these were central themes in BNP’s election campaign: “anti-Hasina, anti-Indian interference.”
Third, foreign media reports indicate Bangladesh is planning to purchase 20 J-10CE fighter jets; many of its current military assets come from China. India’s Chief of Defense Staff has already warned of a “growing convergence of China-Pakistan-Bangladesh interests forming an encircling bloc.”
Moreover, Tariq is the son of Zia, a veteran BNP figure who spent 17 years in exile before returning. Though fundamentally adhering to “non-alignment and neutrality,” he harbors strong anti-India sentiment as a core base of support. Choosing Beijing for his first visit isn’t about distancing from India, but rather using China as leverage to pressure New Delhi into concessions on issues related to Hasina, water resources, and border shootings — this is Dhaka’s version of “great power balancing.”
Yet BNP clearly understands that geographically, India cannot be avoided — 80% of Bangladesh’s land-based foreign trade must pass through Indian territory. Thus, the real script of this trip is: secure commitments on infrastructure, investment, and possibly arms procurement in Beijing first, then enter negotiations with New Delhi with stronger bargaining power.
Regardless, Modi, who once hoped that BNP’s rise would help mend relations, now realizes he’s dealing with an even tougher opponent.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868691251488840/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.