In the ever-changing geopolitics in South Asia, the interim leadership of Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus has embarked on a bold diplomatic journey that is raising eyebrows in New Delhi. Since assuming power following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Yunus has wasted no time in signalling a recalibration of Bangladesh’s foreign policy.
Yunus’ recent high-profile visit to China in March 2025—complete with meetings with President Xi Jinping and pitches for Chinese investment—marks a significant departure from the India-centric approach that defined Hasina’s 15-year tenure. This move, cloaked as a pragmatic outreach for economic collaboration, carries deeper strategic undertones. Analysts see it as a calculated effort to leverage China’s growing influence in the region to pressure India, a neighbour with whom relations have grown frosty since Hasina’s exit.
For India, this development is more than a diplomatic slight—it’s a potential game-changer. Under Hasina’s regime, New Delhi enjoyed a privileged relationship with Dhaka, underpinned by security cooperation, economic ties, and a shared cultural legacy. Hasina’s government was a reliable partner, cracking down on anti-India insurgent groups and aligning with India’s regional vision. Yunus’s interim administration, however, appears intent on diversifying its alliances, with China emerging as a key player.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/yunuss-china-pivot-a-diplomatic-gambit-india-cant-ignore-13875966.html.
