Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, has dismissed concerns that the country’s deepening economic ties with China come at the expense of its relationships with India and the United States, emphasizing that Dhaka’s foreign policy is guided purely by national interest rather than zero-sum rivalries.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Rahman addressed growing diplomatic attention around Bangladesh’s strategic position, framed by the arrival of US Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor, and recent major Chinese infrastructure initiatives in the country.
“Our relationship with any country is not a zero-sum game with our relations with another country,” Dr. Rahman stated. “This is not a fight between the wife (Stree) and the other wife (Sautan). These are relationships based on interests, and we will go wherever our interests lie.”
Strategic Balance Across Global Powers
Dr. Rahman outlined Bangladesh’s diplomatic approach as one that prioritizes constructive engagement with all major partners:
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United States: Highlighted US Special Envoy Sergio Gor’s three-day “exploratory” visit—which includes a trip to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar—as well as Dr. Rahman’s recent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila. Gor’s visit marks the third high-level US delegation to Dhaka since the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party administration assumed office in February.
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China: Confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent trip to Beijing yielded positive results. The visit coincides with the ground-breaking of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chittagong—a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project led by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
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India: Reaffirmed strong ties with New Delhi, noting recent discussions with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and stating that any future prime ministerial visit to India would be equally valuable.
Regional Implications and US Engagement
Ambassador Gor’s visit comes amid heightened scrutiny from Washington and New Delhi regarding Beijing’s expanding footprint in South Asian infrastructure and water management projects.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen welcomed Gor’s arrival, noting that the engagement aims to reinforce regional security, economic cooperation, and strategic ties. The US remains the leading international contributor to humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Dr. Rahman maintained that Bangladesh will continue to navigate these global dynamics by keeping its core national interests intact, building bilateral partnerships without compromising its existing alliances.
