PM likely to visit Malaysia ahead of China in strategic pivot

In a strategic move to recalibrate Bangladesh’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to make his maiden official overseas trip to Malaysia next month, balancing delicate regional geopolitics before an upcoming visit to China.
“We are finalising the paperwork as the Honourable Prime Minister is expected to visit Kuala Lumpur on 21-22 June. He will hold a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart on the second day,” a senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told the Daily Sun on condition of anonymity.
Following the February general election, invitations arrived from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 
Initial discussions also touched on a traditional Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia – shelved due to Middle Eastern tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran – and a regional visit to Bhutan.
Beijing aggressively pursued the visit, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raising it with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Khalilur Rahman, on 6 May. 
Premier Li Qiang formalised an invitation for 23–26 June. However, navigating the fierce India-China rivalry prompted Dhaka to tread carefully.

On 24 May, Dhaka formally engaged Kuala Lumpur after a congratulatory call from Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia sent formal confirmation on 1 June. 
While the itinerary is being finalised, talks are expected to center on migration, trade, investment, and education.
Analysts view the selection of Kuala Lumpur over New Delhi or Beijing as a sophisticated diplomatic masterstroke.
“A prime minister’s first state visit is not merely a matter of protocol; it serves as a symbolic indication of the new government’s foreign policy priorities,” international relations expert Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, formerly of Dhaka University, told the Daily Sun. 
“In this backdrop, it is a smart decision to choose Malaysia instead of China or India. It means the government wants to restore balance to Bangladesh’s foreign policy.”