Tarique Rahman Heads to Malaysia, China

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel to Malaysia and China on Sunday for a high-profile state visit to deepen regional partnerships and secure vital infrastructure deals.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam confirmed the matter on Saturday in a press conference, detailing the six-day itinerary, which spans from 21-26 June.

Tarique will first land in Kuala Lumpur, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the King. The visit also includes high-level discussions with Malaysian private investors.

Siam said, “There will be discussions on mutual bilateral issues of the two countries. The discussions will include topics like trade, investment expansion, energy cooperation, halal economy, semiconductor industry and agriculture, education and public communication, and setting up greater cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”

Dhaka intends to seek Malaysia’s support for ASEAN membership and the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, alongside discussions on recruiting new Bangladeshi workers for various sectors. Both nations expect to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding cultural cooperation during the trip.

The China visit carries significant weight, with 13 MoUs and two agreements potentially on the table. Key discussions will center on military cooperation and integrated river management, specifically regarding the Teesta river.

Siam added, “I am expecting that the discussion will be very broad and expanded. We expect the Teesta discussion will certainly take place.”

Moreover, Bangladesh is seriously considering joining four global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Siam said, “We can say after the visit exactly how many initiatives we are joining or not. However, we can say for sure that we welcome these initiatives. We consider President Xi Jinping’s new thinking about the world to be commendable.”