Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Malaysia on June 21�"22 before a three-day official visit to China from June 23, in his first overseas trip since taking office, aimed at taking bilateral relations into a more strategic direction.
Following prolonged governmental deliberations over the choice of the first destination for an official visit amid a competitive regional and global geopolitical environment, the Prime Minister expressed interest that his first official visit abroad would be to Malaysia before China, reflecting a balanced approach by the BNP government.
Officials and analysts said the decision sends multiple signals. By choosing Malaysia for the first foreign tour, Dhaka is projecting what insiders describe as a “Bangladesh First” policy to domestic audiences, while also signalling to the international community its intent to avoid taking sides in the India�"China rivalry.
Initially, there were discussions on visits to Bhutan or Saudi Arabia instead of India or China. However, both India and China extended invitations to the newly elected Prime Minister following the BNP’s landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary poll.
Prime Minister's two back-to-back visits signal ‘Bangladesh First’ foreign policy approach
During the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to hold meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 23 morning and Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 25, where bilateral, regional and global issues will be discussed with the aim of further strengthening relations for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.
Officials said a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed with Malaysia and China during the visit, particularly on opening labour markets, migrant welfare, education cooperation, and boosting trade and investment with Malaysia.
In China, focus will be given to areas including Chinese support for the Teesta River management project, follow-up on Chinese investment in new projects that slowed after the fall of the Awami League government amid political uncertainty, and other global issues. Officials also said a curtain raiser for the Prime Minister's visit to Malaysia and China will be unveiled today (Friday) at 11 am by the Foreign Ministry.
Officials added that key issues for the Malaysia visit are expected to include reopening the labour market, migrant welfare, education cooperation, and boosting trade and investment.
Around 800,000 Bangladeshi migrants currently work in Malaysia, but the foreign labour market has remained closed since June 1, 2024, following allegations of irregularities in recruitment.
Around 12,000 Bangladeshi students, second only to Chinese students, are currently studying in Malaysia. Malaysian authorities are also keen to expand cooperation in the education sector.
"There is significant scope to boost trade and investment, including in semiconductors and halal food, but we have not done enough beyond labour migration," an official said.
Adviser on Expatriates' Welfare Mahdi Amin visited Malaysia in early April.
Foreign ministry officials said preparations are under way for both visits, but the agendas have not yet been finalised.
China remains Bangladesh's largest import source, with annual imports worth about $25 billion, and is also a key development partner in infrastructure.
Officials said Chinese investment in new projects slowed after the fall of the Awami League government amid political uncertainty. Following the formation of the BNP government, both sides are now discussing fresh funding.
China is keen on the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing, which could open new avenues for investment and financing, officials said.
"Bangladesh sought Chinese support for the Teesta River management project during Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman's visit to Beijing. This will be on the list," an official said.
Rahman's trips are expected to build on agreements reached during former interim leader Muhammad Yunus' visits to both countries last year, covering trade and renewable energy cooperation with Malaysia, and in China, development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram and the modernisation of Mongla Port in southwestern Bangladesh.
In Beijing, Rahman is expected to further infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative while also seeking fresh investment in technology, renewable energy, agriculture and healthcare, according to Mohammad Shakil Bhuiyan, assistant professor of political studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
"Dhaka may also seek better financing terms and try to get some stalled projects back on track," he said.
Analysts say the sequencing of visits reflects a deliberate "Bangladesh First" policy aimed at avoiding early alignment with either India or China.
Ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have been strained by border tensions, unresolved water-sharing disputes and a trust deficit stemming from India's refusal to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to the neighbouring country after mass protests in 2024.
The Malaysia leg, scheduled ahead of any visit to India, is expected to focus on migrant worker welfare, labour migration, recruitment costs and legal employment channels.
Malaysia hosts around 800,000 Bangladeshi workers, accounting for about 37 per cent of its foreign workforce in manufacturing, construction, plantations and agriculture sectors.
Dhaka is likely to push for greater access to Malaysian universities for Bangladeshi students and seek diplomatic support on the Rohingya crisis.
"The reopening of the labour market is likely to be an important agenda item," Himel said, particularly after Malaysia suspended the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in June last year to curb rampant exploitation and human trafficking.
Himel added that securing more Chinese investment and soft loans would take on added urgency for Dhaka given Bangladesh's scheduled graduation from least developed country status in 2029, alongside efforts to expand market access for Bangladeshi goods in China.
