Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus’ visit to China this week marks a critical moment in South Asian geopolitics. The interim leader, who came to power after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s forced exit, is signalling a potential shift away from India’s traditional influence in Dhaka. China, quick to seize strategic opportunities, is rolling out the red carpet. The stakes are high ~ not just for Bangladesh but for the entire region. China’s deepening ties with Bangladesh are not new.

It has long been Dhaka’s largest trading partner, its biggest arms supplier, and a key infrastructure investor under the Belt and Road Initiative. However, the current political upheaval of f ers Beijing a fresh opening. By positioning itself as Bangladesh’s go-to partner, China can further entrench its influence in the Bay of Bengal, a crucial maritime region where India, the US, and Japan have strategic interests. For China, the benefits are two-fold. First, a pro-China Bangladeshi leadership could dilute........

© The Statesman