Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus met with China’s Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking his first state visit. Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Bangladesh’s ties with India have weakened, allowing China to strengthen its influence. The visit is expected to yield agreements on economic, cultural, and media cooperation.

The head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, according to state media reports.

This marks Yunus' first bilateral state visit since assuming leadership of the South Asian nation last August, following the removal of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina stepped down and fled to neighboring India in the aftermath of a student-led mass uprising against her administration. Since her departure, Bangladesh has been grappling with ongoing political infighting.

Under Hasina's leadership, Bangladesh maintained close ties with India. However, since her ouster, relations between the two countries have become strained, creating an opportunity for Beijing to strengthen its influence in Dhaka.

While Bangladesh and India share deep historical, cultural, and linguistic connections, China remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and a significant investor.

Bangladesh holds strategic importance for China due to its location in the eastern Indian Ocean, making it an ideal participant in Xi's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This flagship project is designed to expand China’s global economic and political influence through extensive infrastructure development and trade networks.

With a population of 172 million, Bangladesh also represents a substantial market for China's export-driven economy.

The Bangladeshi government has indicated that Yunus' visit is expected to result in the signing of several agreements between the two nations. These agreements will focus on economic and technical assistance, cultural and sports cooperation, and media collaboration.