Malaysia first, China next: Bangladesh PM's diplomatic debut signals new priorities

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed for Malaysia on Sunday on his first overseas visit since taking office.

The visit is aimed at strengthening economic ties, attracting investment, expanding labour market opportunities for Bangladeshi workers, and enhancing strategic cooperation with Kuala Lumpur.

The two-day visit to Malaysia will be followed by a four-day trip to China, where Rahman is expected to attend the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos meeting and hold talks with senior Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Significantly, Rahman's decision to begin his international engagements with Malaysia and China comes despite an early invitation from India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited the Bangladeshi leader to visit India through Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who travelled to Dhaka in February for Rahman's swearing-in ceremony.

The invitation was seen as part of New Delhi's efforts to strengthen ties with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government after its election victory. However, Rahman has chosen to prioritise Malaysia and China for his first official foreign visits as Prime Minister.

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Focus on labour market and economic cooperation

A special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and members of his delegation departed Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday afternoon.

According to Bangladeshi officials, expanding access to the Malaysian labour market remains one of the key objectives of the visit. Discussions are expected to focus on recruiting more Bangladeshi workers, increasing opportunities for skilled professionals, improving worker welfare, and enhancing vocational training and skill development.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said Rahman will hold both restricted and delegation-level talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on Monday.

The two sides are expected to discuss cooperation in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education, semiconductors, the halal economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Trade and strategic agreements on agenda

Following bilateral talks, the two leaders will witness the exchange of several documents. An MoU on cultural cooperation is expected to be signed, while both sides are likely to exchange a Terms of Reference document to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.

China visit to follow

After completing his Malaysia visit, Rahman will travel to China to participate in the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, World Economic Forum.

Bangladesh and China are expected to sign between 15 and 17 bilateral instruments during the visit, including agreements, memorandums of understanding, an action plan and a protocol. Rahman is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on June 26, concluding his first overseas tour as head of government.