Bangladesh PM to visit Malaysia, China on first foreign tour

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is embarking on his first foreign tour since assuming office, with visits to Malaysia and China planned. Notably, the trip excludes neighboring India, a departure from traditional diplomatic practice and a move seen as strengthening Bangladesh's economic partnerships.

Rahman is scheduled to visit Malaysia on June 21, followed by China on June 22. In Beijing, the agenda will center on trade and infrastructure projects. Officials indicated that Chinese support for the long-delayed Teesta project, aimed at restoring a key Bangladeshi river through dredging and embankment construction, could be a key topic.

The visits are considered a significant diplomatic initiative by Dhaka. Malaysia hosts a substantial Bangladeshi workforce, estimated at 800,000 individuals. Bangladesh's relationship with India has been strained since a 2024 uprising led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an ally of New Delhi. While relations have seen some improvement under Rahman, lingering issues include Bangladesh's repeated requests for Hasina's extradition and border disputes.

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The visits are being viewed as a major diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s economic partnerships.