In Beijing, Bangladesh’s new government headed by Tariq Rehman has formally sought China’s participation and support in the Teesta River restoration project, a move that may cast a shadow over New Delhi’s relations with Dhaka.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalil Rehman and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss the comprehensive management and restoration project of the Teesta River, the state-run Bangladesh Sambad Sanstar news agency reported.
The Teesta River flows from the eastern Himalayas through Sikkim and West Bangalore before entering Bangladesh, where it is an important source of water for irrigation and livelihoods for millions of people.
BSS news agency quoted Wang Yi as saying that China supports the new government of Bangladesh and is willing to promote high-quality “Belt and Road” cooperation to align with Bangladesh’s national development strategy and deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as economy, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.
He said the government will also encourage Chinese companies to invest in Bangladesh.
According to China’s official announcement, Wang Yi stressed that China’s development of relations with Bangladesh and other South Asian countries is not aimed at any third party, and should not be affected by any third party.
This is Rahman’s first visit to China since the new government led by Tariq Rahman came to power in February this year. He arrived here on May 5 and is scheduled to leave on Thursday.
Rahman was in India last month. His talks with the Indian leader are closely watched in Beijing as the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus moves closer to China and Pakistan after the fall of Sheikh Hasina, straining relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
For years, China has shown interest in developing a Sino-Indian border corridor near India’s sensitive Siliguri Corridor that connects mainland India to northeastern states.
Against this backdrop, India’s provision of technical and conservation assistance to the Teesta basin in 2024 reflects New Delhi’s efforts to deepen cooperation with Dhaka on cross-border river management.
Water sharing remains a key issue in the bilateral relationship, with the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, signed in 1996 for 30 years to manage dry season sharing of the Gangaur River, set to expire this year unless renewed.
The development comes as China has expanded its economic and diplomatic footprint in Bangladesh in recent years.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, China is Bangladesh’s fourth largest lender, after Japan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, with a total loan amount of US$7.5 billion since 1975.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Bangladesh and China agreed to strengthen the alignment of development strategies and promote the continuous development of China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Bangladesh reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle, reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and opposed any form of “Taiwan independence.”
China reiterates its support for Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people.
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
