Listen to this article:

Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to make his first overseas visit to Malaysia on June 21–22, in what analysts and diplomats see as a deliberate diplomatic signal – a carefully balanced move given Dhaka’s tense ties with India and its complex dependence on China.

While the government is yet to make a formal announcement, sources in the prime minister’s office confirmed to The Wire that Rahman will visit Malaysia on June 21 and 22.

The trip comes four months after Rahman assumed office in February and at a time when Bangladesh is recalibrating its external relationships. The country’s ties with India were strained after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following the student-led uprising that toppled her government in August 2024. At the same time, China had emerged as a major investor during Hasina’s tenure, while Dhaka’s relations with Washington deteriorated.

Against that backdrop, the decision to begin with Malaysia rather than India or China appears aimed at avoiding geopolitical signalling while maintaining diplomatic balance.

Avoiding the India-China minefield

When talking with The Wire over Tarique’s visit, a senior minister, who requested anonymity, said India remained an important partner for Bangladesh.

“India remains an important destination for us, and there are several security-related issues, including the situation in Myanmar and the Rohingya crisis. These are all important components of our foreign policy considerations,” he said.

“Malaysia invited first, China second, and India third. That’s one parameter, although not the most important one. Practically speaking, however, from the perspective of maintaining balance in foreign relations, it was the correct decision.”

He added that early speculation had pointed toward Nepal or........

© The Wire