Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Beijing on June 25 for his first trip to a major power after taking office. Bangladesh and China signed 15 memorandums, two agreements, and a joint statement on trade, transport, and defense. China also pledged about $300 million in grants. Some viewed the visit as a move toward Beijing, while others saw it as part of a broader foreign policy of the country. Since 2024, Bangladesh has expanded ties with several countries, including Turkey, the United States, and Pakistan. The new government aims to build more partnerships while keeping the existing ones and making its own foreign policy choices, rather than follwing any suggested foreign policies.
That reopening moved fast. Trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan had almost stopped for decades. In February 2025, a shipment of 50,000 tons of rice left Pakistan’s Port Qasim under a government deal. It was the first trade of its kind since independence. A direct shipping line between Karachi and Chattogram launched the previous October. It cut shipping time by more than half. Direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi had stopped for fourteen years. They started again in January 2026. By October, the two countries held their ninth Joint Economic Commission meeting, the first in twenty years. Pakistan used the occasion to offer Bangladesh use of Karachi Port for trade with China and Central Asia. Talks on that idea continue. Annual trade between the two countries now runs at roughly $800 million. This is still modest, but far above where it stood a few years ago.
Bangladesh is expanding its foreign relationships without shedding the old ones. In major projects and defense, its principal ally is China. Most of Bangladeshi exports are sold to the United States and Europe. India has also retained its significance due to its border and shared River systems. The other way around would be through increased trade and defense cooperation with Pakistan. Bangladesh has been interested in acquiring JF-17 fighter planes and has been increasing military ties with Pakistan.
In addition, Turkey has strengthened its defense partnership with Bangladesh through helicopter and air defense contracts. Both nations are in talks to produce drones together. Bangladesh’s Forces Goal 2030 promotes local production of defense and reduces dependency on a single source. The US is also considering greater security cooperation, without any major deal being agreed.
Washington’s China trade spat has given Bangladesh an unwanted opening as well. American retailers are forced to find factories outside China because of tariffs. Much of that work has shifted to Bangladesh, where the garment industry is the second largest after that of China. It is not about diplomacy in Beijing, Islamabad, or Ankara. It highlights the extent of Bangladesh’s space to maneuver that is dependent on things beyond its control. It is not everything that’s decided in Dhaka.
These changes in Bangladesh’s foreign policies do not obscure the whole story. France and Britain remain Bangladesh’s suppliers of defense material. China continues to be the biggest arms exporter for Bangladesh by a long distance. The signing of the JF-17 deal would bring in another defense partner. But it will not be a substitute for China, France, or Britain. So it is also with Turkey. The talks on SIPER Long-Range Air-Defence System with it are a part of the broader effort of the country. Bangladesh is also in the process of conducting defence collaboration with other nations.
The purchase of fighter aircraft and air defense is a long-term decision. These require years of training, repairs and spares and upgrades. The military of Bangladesh is familiar with these costs. That is why the government is taking a cautious approach. Despite the frosty relations since 2024 (especially after the July Uprising), India is a crucial trade and security ally for the country. India has recently restarted tourist visas, indicating that it too desires stable relations with the other.
The BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) government will have more options to develop its relationship with other nations. But this presents new opportunities and new risks. China, Japan, Turkey, Pakistanm and the Gulf states all desire closer relations with Bangladesh. Japan has been a proponent of trade and investment since ancient times. The situation is different now from five years ago, with more countries desiring closer relationships with Bangladesh.
But a problem is not given enough emphasis. Making an agreement is simple. But it is a lot tougher to do it. An interesting example is Vietnam, which maintains close ties with the United States in terms of security. Meanwhile, it is open to big investment from China. It can do well with both because it has created good public offices and clear rules. They are employed to oversee the relationships with numerous partners. But there is still some work for Bangladesh in this regard. Many projects are stalled because of delays in slow and layered government offices. This issue applies to all deals with China, Turkey, and any other partner. There would not be any solution if more partners did not solve it. Improved public institutions will solve it.
Now it is time for Bangladesh to demonstrate that. Being independent does not mean standing alone. Cooperation does not imply disaffection towards any other country. The ideal solution is the maintenance of close relations with Beijing, Washington, New Delhi, Islamabad, and Ankara. All relationships must be evaluated individually, and measures need to be taken accordingly. port deal is not a fighter jet deal. They cannot be considered a single battle in the war over foreign policy.
But patience is required in other countries as well. It will be prudent for India to be mindful of these changes in Bangladesh. The new government will make decisions that may appear to be off-balance. That is normal for sovereign nations. But the government needs to address such challenges too. But it is yet to determine the best interests of the nation. Judging each issue needs to be done individually.
Last but not least, there are a lot of folks who want to tell one simple story. They argue that Bangladesh is heading towards China, Pakistan, or away from India. The reality is more mundane. Bangladesh is trying out its new freedom after a big political transition. Visits to Beijing or Islamabad will not determine the length of that freedom. It will rely more on the capacity of the country to make informed decisions.
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