Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus will visit China on March 26, 2024, for bilateral talks, including a potential meeting with President Xi Jinping on March 28. This visit follows his attendance at the Boao Forum for Asia and comes amid heightened scrutiny of Bangladesh’s relations with China and India after recent political changes.
Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, is set to visit China on March 26 for a bilateral meeting, as reported by Prothom Alo. This visit marks his first since assuming leadership on August 7, 2024, following Sheikh Hasina’s exit. Diplomatic sources indicate that a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping may take place in Beijing on March 28.
Prior to this meeting, Yunus will participate in the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference in Hainan province on March 25. He was specifically invited to this event by Zhang Jun, the BFA secretary general. Following the conference, Chinese authorities suggested hosting Yunus in Beijing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China.
The planning for Yunus’s discussions with Chinese leaders is ongoing. In the meantime, Indian officials are monitoring Bangladesh’s increasing ties with China and Pakistan, particularly following the recent political changes in Dhaka. India’s relations with Bangladesh have appeared strained since Hasina’s removal from power.
In a recent United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva, India alleged that a UN report on Bangladesh had “mainstreamed” concepts related to “revenge violence against minorities.” This topic was also discussed during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UK counterpart David Lammy on March 5.
Moreover, a 21-member delegation from Bangladesh, comprising political leaders, activists, and journalists, concluded a 10-day visit to China on March 6. Reports indicate that Beijing is seeking to strengthen ties by offering loan repayment extensions and allowing duty-free imports for the interim government in Dhaka.
The upcoming visit of Muhammad Yunus to China highlights the evolving diplomatic landscape following Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. His participation in the BFA conference and potential discussions with President Xi Jinping signify efforts to fortify Bangladesh’s ties with China. As India observes these developments with concern, the dynamics between the involved nations may shift considerably in the near future, influencing regional relations.
Original Source: m.thewire.in
