Tarique Rahman stepped off the aeroplane at Rajshahi airport in a simple dress coat, a quiet start to what could be a domino‑setting trip. His new government watches every move; the first foreign visit will set the tone for the rest of the term. A flurry of whispering takes place as some say Beijing is in the cards for late June, while New Delhi still shows no flight plans.
Around the clock, desks in New Delhi and Beijing buzz with forecasts and calendars. The choice will not only answer what the country’s new leaders want overseas, but also hint at how they plan to play regional chess. Drop one stop and the Indian tables take a solemn look, whereas a stop in the middle of the Red Sea could stretch Dhaka’s economic bandwidth.
Foreign debuts have long carried a symbolic punch. They read like a country’s first public manifesto, a signal to allies and rivals alike. Such trips weigh heavily on how a nation is seen by trade partners and lenders. The decision is therefore a talking point in the parliamentary corridors and in the streets of Bangladeshi cafés.
When Muhammad Yunus was in opposite shoes, we saw a stir — 13 countries visited, and China was the first Asian stop. India never entered the itinerary because relations had felt as frayed as a worn-out rope. Changing this pattern could rewrite map lines and red lines that have existed for decades.
China’s Belt and Road point in Bangladesh is humming with potential. Dhaka could secure a new budget line, and the Chinese square comes with a promise of highways and ports. India, on the other hand, speaks of market access but has water disputes and a border agenda often stuck in negotiation limbo. Rahman must juggle economic deals, water talks and a round of regional ballots, all while keeping the eyes of the G‑7 and the rupee market steady.
Choosing Beijing
