Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held meetings with President Xi Jinping and their Chinese counterpart Li Qiang on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024. The two nations signed 21 agreements and MoUs and announced seven additional projects aimed at enhancing their strategic cooperative relations.
According to Bangladesh’s state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), during the meetings, both sides agreed to upgrade their “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.” They added that the Chinese President promised to aid Bangladesh economically in four ways. Those aids include interest-free loans, grants, commercial loans and concessional loans.
Technical committees from both countries will convene to determine the ways to provide the four forms of financial support to Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Hasan Mahmud stated that a technical committee from China would soon visit Bangladesh for this purpose.
Speaking at a press conference, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud mentioned that China has offered one billion Yuan in financial assistance. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed the intention to continue providing support to the country in the global space as well.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at their home country early today after the journey to China, which commenced on July 8th.
China-Bangladesh Relation Soaring New Heights
The Bangladesh prime minister received a ceremonial welcome with a red carpet and was greeted by Premier Li upon her arrival for the bilateral meeting.
The discussions primarily focused on the Rohingya crisis, economic issues such as business, trade, commerce, and investments, as well as bilateral relations and various regional and international topics.
Several agreements were signed concerning cooperation in economic and banking sectors, trade and investment, digital economy, infrastructure development, disaster management assistance, and projects including the construction of the 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China friendship bridges. Additionally, agreements were made regarding the export of agricultural products from Bangladesh and enhancing people-to-people connectivity as reported by BSS.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying posted on the social media platform X that China values the deep friendship established by past leaders of both countries. Furthermore, he expressed the Chinese interest in using the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Dhaka as a chance to promote and strengthen our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
During the visit and talks at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, Xi Jinping underscored the historic nature of friendship both countries have shared for thousands of years. He expressed the intention of deepening the Belt and Road Initiative and expanding the roots of cooperation in other areas as well. China commits to exploring further realms of cooperation with the country to support their journey of development.
Dhaka Closer to Beijing: Concerns for India
As the countries have upgraded their “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”, India’s neighboring countries have levelled up their cooperation comprehensively.
This comes at a time when India is facing the souring of relations with both countries. India and China have long-standing border disputes, in which both countries are trying to find common ground yet miserably failing, as the rounds of talks bear no fruits.
In Bangladesh, ‘India Out’ campaigns have gained momentum in the recent past, pointing to the challenging notion India faces in the domestic politics of the country. Accusations of India meddling with the domestic politics of Bangladesh are not new.
India’s efforts to develop its Northeastern states are challenged by such involvement from China resulting in loosening India’s ties to countries that are immediate neighbors in the eastern part. As India is actively reaching out to the countries east of the nation, strengthening its hold in the Global South, this newly renewed cooperation might pose a threat to India’s efforts in that direction.
