Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to begin his first overseas tour since assuming office, embarking on a six-day visit to Malaysia and China, during which Dhaka and Beijing are expected to sign up to 17 bilateral instruments and discuss major river management projects, including the Teesta and Padma Barrage initiatives.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday afternoon at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before travelling to China on Monday afternoon at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam outlined details of the tour at a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
According to the ministry, the visits are being viewed as a major diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s economic partnerships, attracting foreign investment and enhancing regional connectivity.
The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh and China are expected to sign 15 to 17 bilateral instruments, including 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), two agreements, one action plan and one
protocol.
Responding to a query, he said there would also be discussions on integrated river management, including the Teesta project and the Padma Barrage.
“Bangladesh will discuss integrated river management issues, including Teesta and the Padma Barrage, with China,” he said.
“Bangladesh is considering joining China’s ‘Four Major Global Concepts’. No decision has yet been taken, but Bangladesh welcomes these initiatives,” the Foreign Secretary added.
The Malaysia leg of the tour is expected to focus on expanding trade, labour market cooperation and investment opportunities. Bangladesh will also seek Malaysian support for joining the ASEAN platform.
An MoU on educational cooperation with Malaysia is also under consideration, he said.
On June 25, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
On June 26, he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of his official visit.
During the visit to China, the Prime Minister will attend the World Economic Forum's 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the 2026 Summer Davos Forum.
The forum will be held in the port city of Dalian from June 23 to 25.
The Prime Minister will also hold three separate meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the forum, the Foreign Secretary said.
"The Prime Minister will travel with a limited delegation instead of a large entourage. The total number of accompanying delegates is estimated at around 27 to 28, although some members may return after the Malaysia leg of the tour, with possible changes ahead of the China visit," he said.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to return home on June 26.
Additional Foreign Secretary (Diplomacy and Other Priority Matters) AKM Shahidul Karim and other senior officials of the ministry were present at the media briefing.
