China Makes New Inroads in Bangladesh

Source - PM Bangladesh X Account

Overview

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China from June 24 to 26 has drawn significant attention as Bangladesh joined the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the agreement to strengthen cooperation on the Teesta and other river management projects. From India’s perspective, this is likely to be debated because Teesta River waters remains a sensitive issue in India-Bangladesh relations.

MoUs, GDI and Development Cooperation

Bangladesh and China signed at least 13 MoUs following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 25. The agreements covered political, economic, and strategic cooperation, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and human resource development.

One of the MoUs brought Bangladesh into China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2021 to accelerate progress toward the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Although China had long encouraged Bangladesh to join, Dhaka had previously remained cautious. Officials indicated that Bangladesh’s growing need for socio-economic investment made participation increasingly attractive.

Political and Strategic Engagement

The visit also included party-to-party engagement. The BNP and the Communist Party of China signed a separate MoU to strengthen political ties, with BNP Joint Secretary General Humaiun Kobir and CPC International Department Minister Liu Haixing signing the agreement. Chinese officials reaffirmed support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty, security, and economic development, while Prime Minister Rahman sought support for development projects, including the proposed China-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital.

Senior Chinese stakeholders who met Prime Minister Rahman included representatives from the China International Development Cooperation Agency, China EXIM Bank, the CPC, and major corporations such as Chery Group, HANDA Group, and Chinatex Corporation.

River Management and the Teesta Question

China pledged full support for Bangladesh’s management of the Teesta and other rivers during a meeting between Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying and Prime Minister Rahman at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing. Bangladesh’s ongoing river excavation programme is intended to reduce flood risks, protect the environment, and improve water-resource management.

The two countries already have a basis for cooperation through a 2005 water-management MoU and the visit of Chinese water experts to Bangladesh last year. This provides the current engagement with a practical, research-oriented foundation. Bangladesh has also sought Chinese assistance in riverbank erosion control, irrigation improvement, and inland water navigation.

However, the Teesta project will remain politically sensitive. India offered technical and conservation assistance for the Teesta basin in 2024, reflecting New Delhi’s efforts to deepen cooperation with Dhaka on transboundary river management.

India will closely watch and follow up on the MOUs between China and Bangladesh.