Why Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman chose Malaysia, not India, for his first foreign visit

When a new government takes office, the destination of its leader's first overseas trip is often probed as a signal of foreign-policy priorities. Such visits frequently provide an early indication of how a new administration intends to position itself in the region.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to make Malaysia his first foreign destination. He is expected to travel to Kuala Lumpur on June 21-22 before beginning a three-day visit to China on June 23.

The choice is being spotlighted because invitations had already arrived from both India and China, the two countries that traditionally dominate Bangladesh foreign policy.

Soon after the February election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a letter inviting Rahman to visit New Delhi. Similar invitations later arrived from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

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The decision comes after internal discussions within the new government and reflects the foreign-policy direction the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) administration hopes to establish following its electoral victory, reported local media.

The other options reportedly considered were Bhutan and Saudi Arabia.

How Rahman is leading a 'Bangladesh First' approach

Experts have pointed to the government's focus on a "Bangladesh First" doctrine, which has been presented as the guiding principle for the country's external engagement.

This contrasts with the diplomatic slogan associated with the former Awami League government: "Friendship to all, malice to none."

In practical terms, choosing Malaysia allows the government to begin its international engagement without immediately appearing to favour either of Asia's two major powers.

For a newly elected administration, that consideration carries weight. An immediate visit to India could have been interpreted domestically as continuity with previous patterns of engagement.

A first trip to China, meanwhile, would likely have attracted attention from India and other international partners because of Beijing's growing role in Bangladesh's infrastructure and development sectors.

In recent months, several senior Bangladeshi officials have travelled abroad as part of the government's diplomatic outreach. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has visited both India and China.

Meanwhile, Bangaldesh Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and Prime Minister's Adviser on Expatriates' Welfare Mahdi Amin travelled to Malaysia in early April.

How a Malaysia visit breaks an established pattern

During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, India frequently occupied a central position in Bangladesh's external engagement strategy.

The relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka expanded considerably during the Awami League era, encompassing security cooperation, trade, connectivity projects and counterterrorism efforts.

India viewed the Awami League government as a reliable partner in maintaining stability along its northeastern frontier and facilitating regional connectivity initiatives. Bangladesh, in turn, benefited from political and diplomatic support from New Delhi.

As a result, visits to India often carried symbolic significance beyond the immediate agenda of bilateral discussions. Hasina visited India approximately 13 times between 1996 and 2024, a couple of which were first visits after being re-elected.

Against that backdrop, Rahman's decision to begin elsewhere has been interpreted by many observers as a signal that the new administration intends to establish its own diplomatic identity.

Why Malaysia matters to Bangladesh

The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia occupies a unique place for Bangladesh. Approximately 800,000 Bangladeshi nationals currently work in Malaysia, making it one of the most significant destinations for migrant labour.

These workers contribute substantially to Bangladesh's economy through remittances sent home to their families.

For many households, remittance income remains a crucial source of financial support. At the national level, those inflows help strengthen foreign-exchange reserves and support broader economic stability.

The labour relationship, however, has encountered difficulties in recent years. Malaysia suspended the intake of Bangladeshi workers on June 1, 2024, amid allegations concerning irregularities in recruitment procedures.

The closure of the labour market affected thousands of prospective workers and became a major issue for policymakers in Dhaka. As a result, labour migration is expected to be among the most important topics discussed during Rahman's visit.

Higher education has become another significant area of interaction. Approximately 12,000 Bangladeshi students are currently enrolled in Malaysian institutions, making them the second-largest foreign student group in the country after students from China.

Malaysia has become an attractive destination because of its universities, English-language programmes and comparatively affordable educational opportunities.

Malaysian authorities are also reportedly interested in expanding collaboration in this area, creating additional opportunities for Bangladeshi students and educational institutions.

Meanwhile, Dhaka is also seeking greater investment from international partners as it pursues growth and development objectives. Officials have indicated that discussions in Kuala Lumpur are expected to include trade expansion and investment cooperation.

Malaysia has been identified as a potential partner in areas ranging from infrastructure to technology and finance. The BNP government is attempting to attract foreign investment at a time when economic stability remains a priority.

How a looming shadow of China still awaits

Although Malaysia is receiving attention as Rahman's first destination, the China visit that follows immediately afterwards is going to be one to turn heads. The Kuala Lumpur visit serves as a literal and figurative prelude.

Arriving in China via a neutral Southeast Asian partner softens the optic of a direct "Dhaka-to-Beijing" flight path.

China remains Bangladesh's largest source of imports, with annual imports valued at around $25 billion.

Over the past decade, China has become deeply involved in infrastructure development across Bangladesh, financing and supporting projects in transportation, energy and other sectors.

Chinese investment has been a major component of Bangladesh's development strategy. Following the fall of Shaikh Hasina in 2024, discussions with Beijing regarding fresh financing and new projects have been put into focus.

Among the issues likely to receive attention during the China visit is the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. The initiative seeks to improve management and rehabilitation of a river system that is critical for millions of people in northern Bangladesh.

For years, Bangladesh and India have been unable to conclude a long-discussed Teesta water-sharing agreement but now with a landmark change in government in the bordering Indian state of West Bengal, New Delhi is being touted to finalise something tangible.

Meanwhile, China has expressed interest in supporting the project, including through financing and technical expertise. Khalilur Rahman's recent discussions in Beijing reportedly included requests for Chinese support related to the Teesta initiative.

In late January, just weeks before the general elections, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a major agreement with Beijing to establish a drone-manufacturing plant within the country.

The issue has broader implications because of concerns in India regarding Chinese involvement near the strategically important Siliguri Corridor.

Why the importance of India for Bangladesh is inescapable

The two countries share a border stretching more than 4,000 kilometres, making it India's longest land border with any neighbouring state.

Bangladesh depends on India for a range of commodities and industrial inputs, while Indian northeastern states benefit from transit arrangements that pass through Bangladeshi territory.

The two countries are also linked through energy cooperation, transportation networks and regional connectivity projects. Recognising these realities, New Delhi moved quickly to engage the new government following the election.

Modi's invitation to Rahman was one such gesture. At the diplomatic level, meetings have already taken place between Bangladeshi and Indian officials, including discussions involving Khalilur Rahman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The Bangladeshi side described the meetings as a successful "convergence" and confirmed that a Modi-Rahman summit would take place. These interactions indicate that both sides remain committed to maintaining dialogue despite political changes in Dhaka.

At the same time, the transition from Awami League rule to BNP leadership has introduced new challenges into India-Bangladesh relations. One of the most sensitive issues concerns former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whose presence in India continues to generate ire within Bangladesh.

The timing and agenda of Rahman's eventual visit to India will reveal how effectively Dhaka and New Delhi are managing the sensitive issue of Hasina's asylum.

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With inputs from agencies