Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is in talks with China to visit Beijing in the near future for his first foreign mission. According to the newspaper Prothom Alo, China expressed interest in hosting Rahman for his maiden foreign trip in the last week of June.
While the schedule for the visit has not yet been finalised, the multi-day visit is expected to include high-level meetings with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang.
The visit will be Rahman’s first official foreign assignment since taking charge of the government on February 17.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir confirmed the news, highlighting China’s significance as a “development partner” and asserted that the trip will definitely take place.
Yao Wen, China’s ambassador to Bangladesh, had also implied on May 8 that a visit was on the cards, although he did not mention any schedule.
Prothom Alo reported that Bangladesh may raise the topics of infrastructure development, relocation of Chinese industries to Bangladesh, establishment of Chinese economic zones inthe country, modernisation of Mongla port, enhancing aviation connectivity, and the Teesta Master Plan.
Rahman and his team had been holding talks regarding his first foreign mission since taking over the office in February. India and Saudi Arabia were in the running to be the first destination, along with China. However, the ongoing conflict in West Asia has reduced the likelihood of the Prime Minister visiting Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhole, the relationship between India and Bangladesh has become strained over the recent months due to alleged illegal immigration to West Bengal and Assam, as well as the dispute over sharing water from the Teesta river. The implementation of the China-backed Teesta Master Plan near the strategic Siliguri Corridor, along with the possibility of Chinese presence at the nearby Lalmonirhat airbase, might also pose security threats to India.
