Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to Visit China Amid Rising Diplomatic Engagements

Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, is set to visit China on March 26 for a bilateral meeting and will attend the Boao Forum for Asia conference. He may meet President Xi Jinping on March 28. The visit marks Yunus’s first since taking office in August 2024, amid growing tensions in Bangladesh’s external relations.

Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, is scheduled to visit China on March 26 for a bilateral meeting, as reported by the Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo. This visit will mark Yunus’s first official trip to China since he took over leadership following Sheikh Hasina’s exit on August 7, 2024.

During his visit, it is anticipated that Yunus may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on March 28, based on diplomatic sources from Dhaka. Prior to this meeting, he will participate in the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference in Hainan province on March 25, at the invitation of BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun.

The visit is significant as it commemorates 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China. Once the agenda is finalized, Yunus is expected to engage in high-level discussions with Chinese officials in Beijing.

Meanwhile, India’s government is closely monitoring Bangladesh’s expanding relationships with China and Pakistan, particularly in light of the recent political changes in Dhaka after Hasina’s departure. India recently raised concerns about Bangladesh at the United Nations Human Rights Council, highlighting issues regarding violence against minorities.

Additionally, Bangladesh’s increasing engagement with China was underscored by a recent visit of a 21-member Bangladeshi delegation, which included various political and civil society leaders, who returned on March 6 from China. Reports indicate that both nations are seeking to strengthen ties, with China offering loan repayment extensions and duty-free imports to the interim government in Bangladesh.

In summary, Muhammad Yunus’s upcoming visit to China symbolizes a pivotal moment for Bangladesh-China relations, celebrating their 50-year diplomatic partnership. This trip is underscored by a context of shifting alliances and India’s concerns regarding regional dynamics. As Yunus prepares for high-level discussions, it remains vital to observe the implications of these developments for Bangladesh’s foreign relations.

Original Source: m.thewire.in