Tarique Rahman to visit China in his 1st overseas visit as Bangladesh PM

DHAKA: Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman is expected to travel to Beijing late June in what would mark his first overseas visit since the formation of the new BNP govt, despite a pending invitation from PM Narendra Modi and Bhutan initially being chosen as the destination of his first foreign tour.

Tarique's visit is likely to be closely watched in New Delhi, as the Bangladesh-China engagement appears to be driven in part by Dhaka's renewed efforts to secure Chinese financing for the long-delayed Teesta river restoration project - amid water sharing being the latest diplomatic flashpoint between India and Bangladesh.

Dhaka has said its ties with India will largely depend on renewing or concluding the Ganges water-sharing agreement, stressing that a short-term deal would be insufficient.

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen recently said PM Tarique's upcoming visit to China would further strengthen the partnership between the countries, which, he emphasised, have reached "new heights". "China will continue to provide all-out support to Bangladesh in maintaining political stability, economic development, and public welfare activities," he had said.

Besides the river project, China and Bangladesh have agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation and strengthen exchanges and collaboration in areas including trade, investment, industry, the digital economy, water resources, health, and people-to-people connectivity.

PM Tarique will definitely visit China "at some point", foreign affairs adviser Humaiun Kobir said, stressing that the timing and itinerary of the PM's first bilateral visit abroad have not yet been finalised.

Kobir said the discussion with China regarding the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project had been fruitful, and added that China's Exim Bank is likely to finance the project.

Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as PM in 2024, India-Bangladesh ties hit rough waters, the strain in relations aggravated as Dhaka moved closer to Pakistan during the Muhammad Yunus interim govt era. On the Teesta project, the adviser said the study report was under review and that its recommendations were being examined. He said the project requires detailed talks and consultations before implementation can proceed.