Bangladesh is preparing for a significant diplomatic push during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Beijing, where discussions are expected to centre on the long-debated Teesta water project, expanding defence cooperation, and possible alignment with China’s global policy frameworks.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said, “the visit will include talks on a wide range of strategic and economic issues, including integrated water management and broader regional cooperation between Bangladesh and China.”
He confirmed that Bangladesh and China are expected to sign between 15 and 17 documents during the visit, including 13 memoranda of understanding, two formal agreements, one action plan and one protocol.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit Malaysia on 21–22 June before travelling to Dalian in China on 22 June to attend events linked to the World Economic Forum. He will then proceed to Beijing from 24–26 June.
In Beijing, Li Qiang is expected to hold bilateral talks with the Bangladeshi leader on 25 June, while a separate meeting is planned with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the final day of the visit.
Officials said, “the discussions are likely to include the long-running Teesta river water-sharing issue as well as wider concerns linked to transboundary rivers, including developments on the Yarlung Tsangpo–Brahmaputra basin.”
Dhaka is expected to raise concerns about upstream water management and dam construction while pushing for more structured cooperation on shared rivers.
According to the foreign secretary, the idea of integrated water management will be a central theme in the talks, although detailed technical parameters for the Teesta project, including infrastructure design, remain at an early stage of consideration.
On regional policy alignment, Bangladesh is also reviewing China’s four major global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative.
Officials said that they view these frameworks positively, though they have not yet taken a final decision.
Defence cooperation is also expected to feature in broader discussions, although officials highlighted that procurement decisions are usually handled at operational and technical levels rather than at high-level political meetings. Authorities expect to review existing cooperation between the two countries.
Authorities further clarified that financial negotiations related to development projects are typically handled by relevant ministries and senior officials, rather than being finalised at leadership-level talks.
The visit is widely seen as part of Bangladesh’s broader effort to strengthen economic engagement, expand infrastructure cooperation, and balance strategic relations in a rapidly evolving regional environment.
