Bangladesh Rejects Zero-Sum Diplomacy Amid US and Chinese Entanglements

The minister’s remarks follow a flurry of high-level diplomatic activity, including a visit from U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor and recent meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Addressing reporters, Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh maintains a multi-directional foreign policy, rejecting the notion that cooperation with Beijing must come at the expense of Washington or New Delhi. He specifically characterized the nation’s strategic outreach as a pursuit of mutual benefit rather than a binary choice between global powers.

This balancing act arrives as construction begins on the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong. Managed by the state-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation, the project represents a decade-long ambition and a pivotal component of the Belt and Road Initiative. Analysts suggest that the timing of Ambassador Gor’s visit—the third senior U.S. official to arrive since February 2026—serves as a clear signal of Washington's intent to define its role in Dhaka’s future. While the U.S. remains the primary donor for Rohingya humanitarian efforts, the government in Dhaka continues to engage India's High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi, to ensure regional stability remains a primary focus of its diplomatic agenda.