Xi Promises Stronger Ties in Meeting with Bangladesh’s Yunus

• Beijing and Dhaka are encouraged to “strongly support one another.”
• Yunus’s visit signals that Bangladesh is “delivering a message.”
• Xi emphasizes China’s commitment to being a reliable ally for Dhaka.

BEIJING: On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping assured further collaboration with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Muhammad Yunus, during a meeting that arrives as Dhaka seeks new international allies to balance its deteriorating relationship with India.

Yunus assumed leadership of Bangladesh last August following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi amid a student-led uprising.

India had been the principal benefactor of Hasina’s administration, and her exit has led to a significant downturn in cross-border relations. Consequently, Yunus has chosen to make his inaugural state visit to China—the primary rival of India in Asia.

According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Xi expressed that Beijing is “prepared to collaborate with Bangladesh to elevate bilateral cooperation to new heights.”

“China… is committed to being a good neighbor, a trustworthy friend, and a dependable partner to Bangladesh, underpinned by mutual confidence,” Xi stated, as reported by Chinese media.

The Chinese President further emphasized that China and Bangladesh should “steadfastly support each other” concerning core interests and expressed support for Bangladesh regarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Xi noted that the two nations would explore avenues for collaboration in infrastructure development, water management, and various sectors including digital, maritime, and environmental initiatives.

The Bangladeshi government indicated this week that Yunus’s visit to China demonstrates that Bangladesh is conveying a significant message.

The 84-year-old Nobel laureate is anticipated to return to Bangladesh on Saturday after engaging in a series of high-profile discussions in the Chinese capital.

Several agreements are likely to be finalized concerning economic and technical aid, as well as cultural, sports, and media cooperation between the two nations, according to sources within the Bangladeshi administration.

Discussions are expected to address the substantial population of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, who largely fled to escape a violent military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.

China has previously acted as a facilitator between Bangladesh and Myanmar to negotiate the repatriation of the persecuted Rohingya, although these efforts have stalled due to Myanmar’s reluctance to accept them back.

Tensions with India

In the lead-up to Yunus’s visit to Beijing, senior officials from both the Indian and Bangladeshi administrations have exchanged pointed remarks.

These tensions have significantly disrupted travel for Bangladeshis seeking medical care in India, a journey that was once common for thousands annually.

This week, a high-ranking official from Dhaka’s foreign ministry stated that talks in Beijing would also focus on establishing a Chinese “Friendship Hospital” in Bangladesh.

Yunus’s transitional government faces the challenging task of implementing democratic reforms ahead of anticipated elections by mid-2026.

Moreover, it has requested—so far without success—that India extradite Hasina to answer charges of crimes against humanity linked to the deaths of numerous protestors during the unrest that led to her ousting.

Yunus has also expressed interest in meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hoping to reset diplomatic relations, with both leaders expected to participate in the same regional summit in Bangkok next month.

As of now, Yunus’s government has yet to receive a response to this request, while Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that it is still “under review.”