A 22-person Bangladesh delegation comprising political figures, civil society organizers, academics, and journalists departed for China yesterday on a 10-day tour at Beijing’s invitation. They see this as one of Beijing’s diplomatic offensives following increased tensions between Bangladesh and India.
As per a BBC report, the delegation will meet with Chinese government leaders and top Communist Party officials. India-Bangladesh relations have been tense since August, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went into exile following a public revolt. India has denied Dhaka’s extradition requests for her.
Heading the delegation, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) official Abdul Moyeen Khan termed the visit as a gesture of goodwill from Beijing, pointing out its significance in bringing together different Bangladeshi groups. The delegation comprises BNP members and allies, as well as student movement leaders who were instrumental in Hasina’s removal.
At present, there is an interim government headed by Nobel winner Muhammad Yunus ruling the country, which is calling for the extradition of Hasina to India on charges of crimes against humanity and money laundering. The UN reported that her regime’s crackdown on demonstrations resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths. Hasina refutes the claims, however, while India has said nothing about extradition.
Under Hasina’s 15-year tenure, Bangladesh kept close relations with India while keeping China in balance. Since her departure, Beijing has stepped up contact with Bangladeshi leaders and Islamist groups. This visit comes after a January meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and interim government officials.
China is still Bangladesh’s biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade over $24 billion, and provides more than 70% of its weaponry. India’s interaction with Bangladesh’s caretaker government has been limited, prompting analysts to say that Dhaka is gravitating toward Beijing as regional power rivalries heat up.
