BUSINESS
Amidst deteriorating relations with neighbouring India, Bangladesh has increasingly turned to China as its preferred defence partner. After failing to secure a deal for F-16 fighter jets from the United States, Dhaka is now negotiating a significant defence deal with China to purchase 16 J-10C multirole fighter jets, along with attack helicopters. This shift highlights Bangladesh’s growing reliance on China to modernize its military and assert its regional power, especially in light of rising tensions with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh ’s military cooperation with China is not a recent development, though the scale and significance of these deals have expanded. Over the years, Bangladesh has acquired various Chinese-made defence platforms, including naval vessels, and air defence systems. Currently, the Bangladesh Air Force operates older MiG-29 and F-7 aircraft, and the proposed acquisition of J-10C jets would replace these aging platforms with more advanced, capable technology . The J-10C, known for its multirole versatility, would significantly enhance Bangladesh’s air combat capabilities. The timing of this deal is notable, as Bangladesh’s relationship with India has soured over several issues, including border disputes and the treatment of minorities. Additionally, Bangladesh’s failed attempt to purchase F-16 fighter jets from the United States, largely due to India’s strong diplomatic influence over US policy, has further pushed Bangladesh towards China. With India’s good relations with the US blocking its access to advanced Western military technology, Bangladesh has turned to China as an alternative source of modern defence equipment. Bangladesh’s strategic calculations appear to be driven by a desire to strengthen its defence posture in a region where it faces multiple security challenges. Surrounded by India to the west and Myanmar to the east, Bangladesh has focused on building its military capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty and deter potential aggression. The acquisition of J-10C jets and attack helicopters will not only modernize the Bangladesh Air Force but also send a strong signal to India and Myanmar about Bangladesh’s growing military capabilities. The shift towards China also aligns with broader geopolitical trends in South Asia, where smaller countries are increasingly turning to Beijing for both military and economic support. In addition to the defence deal, China’s involvement in Bangladesh’s infrastructure projects, through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, further deepens their strategic partnership. This growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh is becoming a source of concern for India, which views China’s presence in its backyard as a challenge to its regional dominance. Furthermore, the emergence of Mohammad Yunus’s government in Bangladesh, with its increasing alignment with China and Pakistan , has added another layer of complexity to India’s diplomatic strategy. Bangladesh’s growing ties with China and Pakistan are seen as potentially destabilizing factors in the region, particularly as China seeks to expand its influence in South Asia. India is now carefully monitoring the situation, wary of Bangladesh becoming a satellite state of Chinese influence. None
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