Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahmman’s recent trip to China has resulted in new economic commitments. However, experts suggest that Bangladesh should strengthen institutional relations with India alongside expanding cooperation with China. A report from the Centre for Peace Studies highlighted the importance of maintaining constructive ties with India despite the growing partnership with Beijing.
During the three-day state visit, several agreements were signed, and China pledged support for infrastructure and water management projects. While these developments were seen as diplomatic and economic successes domestically, the visit also underscored the limitations of external partnerships in addressing issues influenced by geography and politics. Beijing’s diplomatic approach indicated that its collaboration with Dhaka does not disrupt its relations with New Delhi.
China offered technical assistance, feasibility studies, and water management expertise, but refrained from involvement in Bangladesh’s water-sharing disputes with India. Notably, discussions centered on the Teesta River, with Beijing emphasizing that bilateral cooperation does not target any third party. The report pointed out that China’s stance reflects its preference to avoid escalating Sino-Indian tensions over the Teesta issue.
Despite China’s robust infrastructure financing, India remains Bangladesh’s crucial neighbor and security partner. The outcome of the meeting highlighted that unresolved bilateral issues such as water sharing, border management, and security challenges cannot be solely addressed through external interventions or financial aid. The report emphasized that Bangladesh’s relationship with India is unique due to geographical proximity, necessitating a continuous engagement that impacts both nations immediately.
The report recommended that Dhaka should focus on enhancing ties with China in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and investment sectors while simultaneously strengthening institutional cooperation with India in areas like water governance, border management, regional security, trade facilitation, and connectivity. It stressed that despite occasional tensions, India has shown interest in improving relations with Bangladesh through open high-level contacts and preserved diplomatic channels, avoiding irreversible confrontations.
