China, which was sitting in wait, has become active as soon as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tariq Rahman became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang on Tuesday (February 17) congratulated Tariq Rahman and said that Beijing is ready to work with Dhaka to strengthen mutual relations in all sectors including BRI projects, so that their relations can reach a new level.

What did the Chinese PM say?
In his message to Tariq Rahman, the Chinese PM said that the Chinese government supports the smooth administration of the new Bangladeshi government, which was sworn in today. He said that China is ready to carry forward the traditional friendship with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and advance transactions and cooperation in all sectors.

Li Qiang further said that this will take the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new level and will bring more benefits to the people of both the countries. He also said that China and Bangladesh have a long history of friendly transactions, mutual respect and cooperation.

What did Rahman say about foreign policy?
Regarding foreign policy, after the victory of Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the parliamentary elections held on February 12, Rahman said that he will give priority to the interests of Bangladesh in building relations with other countries. After this, Rahman was quoted as saying that the interests of Bangladesh and its people will decide our foreign policy.

Tension in relations between Dhaka and Delhi due to Yunus
Chinese state media highlighted Rahman’s statement that China has long been considered an important development partner of Bangladesh and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to work together for common development. Apart from India and Pakistan, Rahman’s government’s policy towards China has also become important because after assuming power in August 2024, the Chief of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, tried to make a Pro China and Pakistan policy, which has had the worst impact on Dhaka’s relations with India so far.

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China’s mega-dam project on Brahmaputra: China on Saturday started construction of a huge dam project on the Brahmaputra River (called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet). This region is very close to the border of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Chinese Prime Minister Lee Kyang participated in the foundation stone program of this project. The project is being added to China’s carbon neutral policy and the development goals of the Tibet region.

Claim of power generation and development in Tibet
According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, electricity produced from the dam will be mainly sent to areas outside Tibet, although local needs will also be met by it. The government claims that this project will also accelerate the economic development of Tibet region.

Investment of five hydropower stations and 1.2 trillion yuan
The project will include five large hydropower stations, and its total estimated expenditure is described as 1.2 trillion yuan (about 167 billion dollars). When this project is completed, it will generate more electricity than the three gorges dams on the Yangtse River.

India and Bangladesh feared environmental and water crisis
The Brahmaputra River passes through India and Bangladesh, so both countries have expressed concern about this project. Experts believe that this can have a serious impact on Brahmaputra’s stream, water quality and ecology.

India had already raised objection
The Government of India clearly stated to China in January 2024 that ‘any activity in the upper part should not harm the interests of the states settled in the lower parts of the Brahmaputra’. The Ministry of External Affairs had expressed concern that this activity of China could affect India’s Northeast and Bangladesh.

China’s answer: ‘There will be no negative effect’
China responded to India’s objection and said that the construction of the dam would not have any negative impact on the low -lying areas. However, environmentalists and experts have doubted the claim and warned that such large construction in a sensitive field like Tibet can lead to changes related to permanent and irreparable ecology.