By G M Forhadul Mozumder (Dhaka Bureau)
Following four years of continuous diplomatic maneuvers and complex geopolitical considerations, Bangladesh is finally set to join China’s widely discussed global development framework, the ‘Global Development Initiative’ (GDI). Despite persistent pushes from Beijing during the tenures of the previous Awami League government and the subsequent interim government, Dhaka had previously refrained from signing the final agreement. However, an official announcement regarding Bangladesh’s inclusion is highly anticipated during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s ongoing official visit to China.
Diplomatic sources indicate that while Dhaka has approached Beijing with a positive mindset, both sides will sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) only if China’s proposal aligns with Bangladesh’s specific terms, conditions, and national interests.
Dhaka Elects ‘Development’ Over Security, Selecting One of Four Initiatives
The GDI is part of a broader vision for global governance championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which comprises four distinct global initiatives:
1. Global Development Initiative (GDI)
2. Global Security Initiative (GSI)
3. Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)
4. Global Governance Initiative (GGI)
A senior official from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that in alignment with its neutral and development-oriented foreign policy, Bangladesh will only participate in the development-centric GDI, ruling out the other three. In particular, Dhaka aims to maintain its distance from the security-focused GSI.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official stated. ‘Our stance on the GDI is positive, and China is equally keen. If China agrees to the framework we desire, the agreement will be finalized during the Prime Minister’s current visit. However, it is best not to speak with absolute certainty before the signing, though the probability of a deal is at its highest this time.’
Tarique Rahman in Beijing: Teesta Project and 15-17 Deals on the Table
Following a successful two-day visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Dalian, China, on Monday night (June 22) for a five-day official visit. In the first leg of his tour, he is participating in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions (Summer Davos). He is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on June 24, where he will hold separate bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on June 25 and President Xi Jinping on June 26.
At a recent press briefing, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam noted that between 15 to 17 agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed during the Prime Minister’s Beijing visit. Furthermore, the highly discussed ‘Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project’ will be included in the bilateral talks with the Chinese leadership.
Regarding President Xi’s four initiatives, the Foreign Secretary remarked- ‘We applaud President Xi Jinping’s four global initiatives. We are broadly considering joining them. However, whether we join all or only specific initiatives can only be confirmed once the visit concludes, as discussions are still ongoing.’
Background: Four Years of Hesitation and Dhaka’s Strategy
President Xi Jinping officially announced the GDI during the UN General Assembly session on September 21, 2021. Later, in August 2022, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Dhaka and formally proposed Bangladesh’s inclusion in both the GDI and GSI, handing over a 32-point draft concept paper.
* The Awami League Era: Despite repeated urgings from Beijing across foreign secretary, ministerial, and leadership levels, the Sheikh Hasina government utilized various diplomatic maneuvers to defer signing. In 2023, during a high-level GDI conference in China, Bangladesh declined to endorse the concluding joint statement, citing concerns that while the language was acceptable, the underlying context was not. A deal was widely expected during Sheikh Hasina’s Beijing visit in July 2024, but Bangladesh’s ultimate reluctance left Beijing visibly dissatisfied.
* The Interim Government Era: When the subsequent interim government’s Foreign Advisor, Touhid Hossain, made his first bilateral visit to Beijing, China again brought the GDI to the forefront. Beijing even included the proposed MoU in the chief advisor’s tentative itinerary. Although the interim government adopted a more positive linguistic and policy stance compared to its predecessor, it ultimately left the document unsigned.
The Global Context
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun, over 80 countries have already joined the ‘Friends of GDI’ coalition, and nearly 100 countries, regions, and international organizations have signed GDI cooperation agreements.
International observers are closely watching Bangladesh’s strategic pivot to the GDI, viewing it as a delicate balancing act to secure economic development while maintaining geopolitical neutrality in South Asia. The final terms under which Dhaka enters this multilateral platform remain the central point of interest.
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The Writer:
G M Forhadul Mozumder: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
