Beijing: The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, the Chinese state media reported. This maiden visit of Yunus to China for bilateral talks since he took over as Bangladesh’s interim leader following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina has turned the spotlight on Dhaka’s growing engagement with Beijing. Speculations are rife whether Bangladesh which once provided India with an advantage in the region, strengthening economic and security cooperation, cracking down on cross-border insurgencies, and crucially, pushing back against Chinese influence, is aiming to reduce its dependence on Delhi. If it is so, then it will come as a blow to New Delhi’s dominance over the region, experts opined.
This visit also indicates a deepening geopolitical shift in South Asia as China has vowed to strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh on Friday at a time when continues to navigate rising frosty ties with neighbouring New Delhi.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus joined the meeting with Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China in People’s Great Hall, Beijing on Friday. pic.twitter.com/qxKoGAF6IU
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) March 28, 2025
‘Bangladesh will remain a good friend…’
Xi told Yunus on Friday that Beijing was “willing to work with Bangladesh to push bilateral cooperation to a new level,” as quoted by the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. “China insists on remaining a good neighbour, good friend and good partner to Bangladesh, based on mutual trust,” Xi said, as quoted by CCTV. According to AFP, the Chinese leader reportedly said Beijing and Dhaka should “firmly support each other” on core interests. Xi also backed Bangladesh on issues including safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
#LATEST 🇨🇳Chinese President Xi Jinping met with 🇧🇩Bangladeshi interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Beijing.
Xi gives red carpet to Prof. Yunus at the Great Hall of the People. #China #BangladeshL pic.twitter.com/8gBJY86qYp— Shen Shiwei 沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) March 28, 2025
During their meeting, both leaders discussed several avenues for cooperation, including economic and technical assistance, as well as potential agreements on cultural, sports, and media exchanges, reported the Hindustan Times.
China’s importance
While Bangladesh and India share deep historical, cultural and linguistic ties, China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. China is also a major investor.
Bangladesh is of strategic importance to China. It is located in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean, an ideal situation for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is Xi’s signature project aimed at boosting China’s economic and political influence. The project is aimed at implementing a raft of infrastructure projects and trade networks worldwide.Bangladesh, with its 172 million population, also offers a huge market for China’s export-oriented economy.
Modi and Yunus meeting pending
The bilateral engagement between Delhi and Dhaka had been a muted affair ever since Hasina’s ouster. However, a congratulatory note to the Chief Advisor to the Interim Government, Muhammad Yunus, was sent from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi is yet to meet Yunus. A potential meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last year did not materialise. It is uncertain whether they will meet at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.
PM Modi, however, wrote to Yunus on March 26, celebrated annually as Bangladesh National Day. The Indian PM reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to advancing the partnership to augurs well for India’s neighbourhood policy.
