But will China-Bangladesh relationship upset India? Till date, Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina has been successful in maintaining a balanced relationship with both the countries. After she formed the government in 2009, Hasina visited India and China. Also, she was seen cutting down the country’s dependence on the Chinese arms by diversifying the source of arms. In 2013, she gave a billion dollar contract to Russia, one of the country’s biggest arms contracts.
However, Bangladesh procuring the submarines from China has been an issue of scepticism for the security analysts in India. After Xi’s visit, the scepticism has further deepened, particularly, with China and Bangladesh elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership. Clarity on the nature of this partnership will be helpful in reducing tension.