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focused on economic and strategic interests.

“This is a pragmatic decision by the BNP government and reflects its ‘Bangladesh First’ policy,” said Amena Mohsin, former professor of international relations at Dhaka University.

Prof Lailufar Yasmin of the same department described the move as a “strategic disruption,” noting that Malaysia comes first, then China, not India.

“I would call it prioritising national interest instead of focusing on who invited the prime minister first,” she added.

Analysts say Bangladesh’s foreign policy debate is often framed through simplistic binaries such as India versus China or the US versus China.

“I think the BNP government is trying to break that binary,” Amena Mohsin said.

The geopolitical significance of the China visit became more visible after four diplomats -- US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi and Swedish Ambassador Nicholas Weeks -- met Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Saturday, a weekly holiday, just before Tarique’s departure.

While officials described the meetings as routine, the timing fuelled speculation that Western countries and Japan, a key US ally, were signalling concerns ahead of the China trip.

“It is a complex geopolitical world order,” said Amena Mohsin, now an adjunct faculty member at North South University.

“The US, China, India and even Japan all want influence in South Asia. It is possible they expressed their own concerns and interests ahead of the China visit.”

Prof Lailufar added that Bangladesh’s strategic importance in the Indo‑Pacific has grown significantly. “The diplomats’ meetings with the foreign minister reflect that reality.”

Analysts noted overlapping issues with China’s interests in Bangladesh, including US calls for stronger maritime and security cooperation, while Bangladesh remains reliant on Chinese defence supplies.

Officials also said Dhaka is expected to discuss Chinese funding for the Teesta River Management Project during the visit, an issue long considered sensitive by India.

Given the complex regional environment, analysts argue Bangladesh needs broader political consensus on projects with geopolitical implications.

“In sensitive projects like Teesta, Bangladesh should proceed carefully and build national consensus,” Prof Lailufar said.

Amena Mohsin stressed that Bangladesh’s ability to navigate external pressures ultimately depends on domestic governance. “You cannot handle external challenges unless you first fix your own home.”

The choice of Malaysia and China closely aligns with Bangladesh’s immediate economic priorities.

Malaysia remains one of the largest destinations for Bangladeshi migrant workers at a time when overseas employment opportunities are shrinking.

Kuala Lumpur suspended intake of foreign workers from June 2024, and opening the market and ensuring migrants’ welfare would be priorities in Malaysia.

China, meanwhile, remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and one of its most important potential sources of investment, infrastructure financing and technology transfer.

With youth employment emerging as a major domestic challenge, Dhaka sees Chinese investment as critical for industrial expansion and job creation.

China has maintained active engagement with Bangladesh’s major political forces since the Hasina regime was ousted, while bilateral trade between the two countries now exceeds $24 billion annually.

Beijing also remains a major source of infrastructure financing and military hardware for Bangladesh, although Dhaka has diversified defence procurement in recent years.

At the same time, analysts caution against interpreting the China visit as a diplomatic shift away from India, even though the relations between Dhaka and New Delhi became strained after the fall of the Awami League government.

Despite the political tensions, India remains one of Bangladesh’s most important economic partners, with annual bilateral trade standing at around $12 billion and the largest destination for Bangladeshis seeking medical treatment.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said the government wants good relations with all countries and that a visit to India would take place “when the time is conducive”.

“We are a government elected with the people’s mandate. Our priority is national interest. We will decide where to visit based on our own priorities, not at the dictate of others,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry on Saturday.