Chinese naval presence in Bangladesh signals Beijing's power play: 'India should be worried'

Chinese naval ships Qi Jiguang and Jinggangshan arrived in Chittagong on October 12 for a three-day goodwill visit (Picture Credit: CGTN)

Chinese navy ships visited Bangladesh last Saturday (October 12), marking the first time a foreign fleet docked in the South Asian nation since the interim government under Muhammad Yunus took charge in August.

The three-day "goodwill visit" saw Chinese naval training ship Qi Jiguang and amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan setting anchor in Chittagong.

China’s ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that the visit reflected how relations between the countries would continue to grow regardless of the recent political shifts.

The visit of the Chinese naval fleet could potentially raise eyebrows in neighbouring India, especially due to the shifting power dynamics in Bangladesh following the ouster of pro-India former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

There are concerns that China may try to expand its influence in Bangladesh, especially since the new government has been sending anti-India signals due to Hasina's historical proximity with new Delhi.

China has already been making efforts to lure neighboring countries like the Maldives and Nepal away from India's sphere of influence.

Last year, pro-Beijing Mohamed Muizzu became the president of Maldives after running an "India Out" election campaign. In Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, known for his pro-China stance, returned as prime minister earlier this year.

Bangladesh has been resisting Chinese influence under Hasina, due to her pro-India stance. Earlier this year, Hasina said that she prefers India over China to execute the $1 billion Teesta river development project. This sent a strong signal to Beijing.

However, the new government in Bangladesh may not show any natural inclinations toward India.

Frédéric Grare, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University’s National Security College, told the South China Morning Post (SCMP) that India may view Chinese navy's visit as part of Beijing's continuous build-up in Bangladesh”.

But he added that the visit marks continuity and not a qualitative change in the nature of the relationship China intends to maintain with Dhaka.

“Delhi should and is probably worried about the overall dynamic and uncomfortable with the present uncertainty," he told SCMP.

Meanwhile, Viraj Solanki, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told SCMP that China has been ramping up its defence ties with South Asian nations. As part of that, it is building a submarine base in Bangladesh to house its Ming-class submarines.

Solanki said that such facilities can also host Chinese research vessels, whose activities have been increasing in the Indian Ocean Region, especially around the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

This is a matter of concern for New Delhi, he said.

India has been trying to actively counter China by intensifying its defence collaborations with neighboring countries to position itself as a "reliable and effective partner," Solanki said.

Earlier this month, India and Maldives issued a joint vision document to bolster maritime security following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.

Similarly, in June, India and Sri Lanka launched a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, with hubs in Hambantota and Colombo, further strengthening their security ties.

Moreover, India has also inked a deal with US for the acquisition for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, which will significantly ramp up its surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region.

Despite these efforts, Bangladesh's proximity with China will be closely watched by India, especially since Beijing is keen to increase its engagements with Dhaka and potentially revive military ties with the interim government.

Lailufar Yasmin, a professor of international relations at the University of Dhaka, told SCMP that India should look to reset its ties with Bangladesh, which plunged after Hasina's ouster.

“Domestic changes in Bangladesh do not necessarily diminish its strategic significance to the great powers. China’s naval diplomacy in Bangladesh is a testament to this,” she said.