Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman Likely To Visit China For First Foreign Visit

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 09:02 IST

Dhaka has maintained that the future of its relationship with India will depend significantly on renewing or finalising the Ganges water-sharing agreement

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman is expected to visit China in late June, a trip that would mark his first overseas visit since the formation of the new BNP government. The development comes despite a pending invitation from PM Narendra Modi and earlier indications that Bhutan would be the destination of his first foreign tour.

The proposed visit is likely to be closely monitored in India as ties between Bangladesh and China deepen, particularly around Dhaka’s push for Chinese funding for the long-pending Teesta river restoration project. Water-sharing issues have recently emerged as a fresh point of tension between India and Bangladesh.

Dhaka has maintained that the future of its relationship with India will depend significantly on renewing or finalising the Ganges water-sharing agreement, arguing that a short-term arrangement would not be adequate.

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen recently said Tarique’s upcoming China visit would strengthen bilateral ties further, describing relations between the two countries as having reached “new heights". “China will continue to provide all-out support to Bangladesh in maintaining political stability, economic development, and public welfare activities," he had said.

Apart from the river project, Bangladesh and China have agreed to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and expand collaboration in trade, investment, industry, digital economy, water resources, healthcare, and people-to-people connectivity.

Foreign affairs adviser Humaiun Kobir said Tarique would “definitely visit China at some point", though the timing and itinerary of his first bilateral foreign visit have yet to be finalised.

Kobir also said discussions with China on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project had been productive, adding that China’s Exim Bank is expected to finance the initiative.

Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after the removal of former PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024, with tensions worsening as Dhaka moved closer to Pakistan during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

On the Teesta project, Kobir said the study report was currently under review, and its recommendations were being examined. He added that the project would require detailed discussions and consultations before implementation could move forward.

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