Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, will visit China on March 26 to attend the Boao Forum for Asia and meet with President Xi Jinping on March 28. This visit occurs amid India’s scrutiny over Bangladesh’s increasing ties with China and Pakistan after Hasina’s ousting.
Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, is scheduled to visit China on March 26 for a bilateral meeting, as reported by Prothom Alo. This marks Yunus’s first visit to China since he assumed leadership on August 7, 2024. He is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on March 28, according to diplomatic sources from Dhaka.
Prior to the meeting in Beijing, Yunus will attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference in Hainan on March 25, following an invitation from Zhang Jun, the secretary general of the BFA. The Chinese authorities have extended invitations to Yunus to discuss further high-level engagements to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh.
India has expressed concerns regarding Bangladesh’s growing ties with China and Pakistan, particularly following Sheikh Hasina’s removal from office. Reportedly, relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have become tenuous. Recently, India raised concerns at a United Nations Human Rights Council session, alleging that a UN report on Bangladesh promoted concepts of “revenge violence against minorities.”
Additionally, the topic of Bangladesh arose during a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UK counterpart David Lammy at Chevening House on March 5. Significantly, a 21-member Bangladeshi delegation recently concluded a 10-day visit to China, where discussions highlighted strengthening ties and included offers from Beijing for loan repayment extensions and duty-free imports.
In summary, Muhammad Yunus’s upcoming visit to China underscores significant diplomatic engagements between Bangladesh and China, especially amid India’s concerns regarding this growing relationship. The meeting with President Xi Jinping and participation in the BFA conference will further shape Bangladesh’s foreign relations approach. Additionally, the backdrop of shifting dynamics following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster adds complexity to these developments.
Original Source: m.thewire.in
