ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s caretaker leader, is set to embark on a diplomatic visit to China from March 26 to 29, signaling a shift in the country’s foreign policy amid strained relations with neighboring India. Yunus, who assumed leadership in August 2024 following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is seeking to strengthen Bangladesh’s ties with Beijing, a key rival to India in the South Asian region.
Yunus’s administration, which has faced challenges since its formation, is eager to explore new international alliances. His visit to China comes as Bangladesh looks to broaden its foreign relations beyond its traditional ties with India. Yunus’s media secretary, Shafiqul Alam, emphasized the importance of the visit, noting that discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including economic cooperation and regional security issues.
During his visit, Yunus is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and receive an honorary doctorate from Peking University. The Bangladeshi leader will also meet with representatives from various Chinese firms to explore potential investment opportunities, particularly in manufacturing. “Bangladesh is aspiring to become a key manufacturing hub and seeks China’s partnership to achieve this goal,” Alam stated.
The visit will also touch on the sensitive issue of the Rohingya refugee crisis, with Bangladesh hosting a significant number of refugees who fled Myanmar after a violent military crackdown in 2017. While China has previously mediated talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar on the repatriation of these refugees, progress has been slow, largely due to Myanmar’s reluctance to accept their return.
This visit follows a recent trip by Bangladesh’s interim foreign minister, Touhid Hossain, to China in January. Chinese officials have expressed strong support for Bangladesh, with China’s ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, affirming China’s commitment to backing Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence.
As Yunus prepares for this critical diplomatic mission, it remains to be seen how the visit will reshape Bangladesh’s foreign policy and its relationship with China and India.
