After Meeting Last Week With The Leader of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, Muhammad Yunus, Chinese President Xi Jinping Said Is “Willing to Work With Bangladesh to Push Bilateral Cooperation to a New Level.”
Yunus, to Economist and Nobel Laaureate, Became the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s Interim Government After Former Leader Sheikh Hasina was required to tip Down a Popular Student-Led Uprising in August 2024.
Yunus’ Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam Quickly Labelled the Chief Adviser’s First Foreign Tour as a “Grand Success.”
Yunus Came Home from China Having Secured $ 2.1 Billion (EUR 1.94 Billion) in Chinese Investments, Loans and Grants, His Office Said.
A Major component of this is Establishing a Chinese Industrial Economic Zone (Ciez) in Bangladesh, with Nearly 30 Chinese Companies PROMISED $ 1 Billion for the Project, Coming Afer Yunus Urged personal Chinese Investment in Bangladesh’s Manufacturing Sector.
China So Plans to Lend $ 400 million to Modernize Bangladesh’s Second-Largest Port atMongla Beijing is as a result Considering Enhancation in Water Resource Management.
And China Again Pledged to Support Bangladesh in Its Effort to Repatriate Over A Million Rohingya Refugees Currently Living in Crowded Refugee Camps Aft Fleing Persecution inNeighboring Myanmar
Former Diplomat Munshi Faiz Ahmad Said Yunus’s conference with Xi was a favorable indicator for the acting federal government.
“Some Countries Hesitate to Commit Large-Scale Corporations with interim government. But China Didn’t Hesitate to deal with Muhammad Yunus. It resumed the TIES that stagnant after the fall of the Previous Government,” Ahmed, The Former Bangladesh Ambassador to China,Told Dw
Benefits and Risks for Bangladesh
Jasmin Lorch, A Senior Researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Told DW That The Visit Harbors Both Benefits and Risks for Bangladesh From A Geostrategic Perspective.
“On the One Hand, it Contributes to Further Diversifying Bangladesh’s International Alliances, ThereBy Reducing Its Reliance on India, With which Relations Have Begun to Deteriorate, As Well as Its Reliance on the Us, Whose Foreign Policy Has Become MORE UNDER UNER PRESIDENT DONALD Trump,” She Said
However, The Expert Added that Bangladesh Increasing Ties with China is “Bound to Anger India,” As it Brings Beijing’s Influence Closer to Its Border.
“Deeping Cooperation with China in Area Such as the Modernization of Mongla Port Or, Potential, The Teesta River Project, wants Strengthen Bangladesh’s integration into China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Integration India Rejects,” She Added
Trade Deficits are one more concern on the table, as Bangladesh’s exports, Mostly Textiles, to China Amount to a Fraction of the more than $ 23Bilateral Trade China has actually used a zero-talent market accessibility, which Could Open the Door to More Bangladeshi Products.
“China Can Be a Big Market for ourLeather Products Mangos and Jackfruits will certainly be exported to the nation SOON. We can So Try to Export Other Agricultural Products as China is the largest market for them (Bccci), Told Dw.
However, Analyst Lorch Pointed Out That From An Economic and Development Perspective, Enhancing Ties With China is A “Double-Eed Sword.”
“Chinese Investment and Economic Engagement Usually Come With Almost No Requirements Regarding Social and Environmental Standards,” She Said, Adding that Extent to which Bangladeshi Laborers and The Bangladeshi Population at Large Will Benefit Remains Unclear.
“Moreover, the Related Infrastructure Projects May Entail Serious Environmental Risks,” She Said
Bangladesh-India Ties Sour After Hasina Ouster
Yunus Took Charge of Bangladesh After Hasina Fled to India Following Her Ouster.
India Had Been the Biggest Benefactor of Hasina’s Government, and Her Departure Sent Cross-Border Relations Into A Tailspin, Culminating in Yunus Deciding to Make His First State Visit To China, Rather Than India.
Yunus Had Reportedly Wanted to Visit India Before Traveling to China, But New Delhi Did not Respond Pos regarding Dhaka’s Request.
“We Showed Our Interest and Asked the Indian Side As Early As In December Last Year for a Bilateral Visit of Chief Adviser Professor Yunus to India. This was that weks Before his Visit to China was finalized, we didn’t receive a positive response,” yunus’ pressSecretary Alam Told Indian Newspaper The Hindu The Last Week Alam Added that Yunus was eager to keep cozy connections with india.
Analyst Lorch Said that Bangladesh’s acting federal government appears to be extremely conscious that it requires great Neighborly connections with india.
Although India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi Has Yet to Meet Yunus, The Indian Leader Did Send Recently a Letter to Bangladesh’s Leadership Marking the Country’s Independence Day, Lauding Bilateral Ties.
“This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices, that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership,” method contacted yunus.
“We remain committees to advancing this partnership, drives by our common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity, and based on mutual sensitivity to ever other’s interests and concerns.”
However, Ties Remain Strained Over Hasina’s Continued Presence in India.
“Anti-Indian sentiment has been rising in Bangladesh, owing to the modi Government’s Close Relations with the Former Autocratic Government of Sheikh Hasina and Because the Modi Government Has not Responded to Bangladesh’s Requests Her for Trial,” Said Analyst Lorch
“Given the Strong Historical and Cultural Ties Between the Two Countries, to Easing of Diplomatic Relations would be essential, and modi’s recent Letter to Yunus is hopefully an indication of that,” She Added.
However, Dhaka-Based Political Commentator Zahid Ur Rahman Doubt India Will Normalize Relations With Interim Leader Yunus, Whose Government Has Said It is Laying The Groundwork for Elections, But a Date Has Yet To Be Set.
“India wishes to have a syndicate over bangladesh, which feasible throughout previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s period. Bangladesh has actually embraced an independent forebent foreben forei and yunus, which is needed Told Dw.
Meanwhile, yunus has once again sough a conference with method in a quote to reset relationships, with Both Leaders Expected to be at an eastern financial top in Bangkok Later This Week.
Yunus’ Government Has Yet to Receive a Response, with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar Saying the Request was “Under Review.”
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
