Bangladesh PM to visit Malaysia, China before India on debut tour

Bangladesh's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to embark on his first overseas trip since taking office in February, with visits planned for Malaysia and China later this month. Dhaka has stated that this itinerary reflects its independent foreign policy, with the decision to visit Malaysia and China before India seen as an effort to achieve diplomatic balance rather than a snub.

Rahman is scheduled to visit Malaysia from June 21-22, with discussions anticipated to center on migrant worker welfare, labor migration, recruitment costs, and legal employment channels. Malaysia currently hosts approximately 800,000 Bangladeshi workers, who constitute about 37 percent of the country's foreign workforce across various sectors including manufacturing, construction, plantations, and agriculture.

Following his visit to Malaysia, Rahman will proceed to China for a three-day official trip starting June 23. In Beijing, he is expected to discuss further infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, Bangladesh aims to seek fresh investment from China in key sectors such as technology, renewable energy, agriculture, and healthcare, according to Mohammad Shakil Bhuiyan, an assistant professor of political studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir emphasized India's importance as a regional partner, highlighting the need for cooperation based on mutual respect, shared economic benefits, and people-to-people ties. He stressed that Bangladesh and India must live and work together, and that Prime Minister Rahman is expected to visit India in the near future.