Bangladesh and China Connectivity: Impacts on Regional Security

Bangladesh-China connectivity in the Asian landscape not only has the potential to reshape the economic and political contours of the region but also carries implications for security at various levels. Asia is growing as an inter-reliant geopolitical entity where Bangladesh’s position both geographically and financially makes the country eligible for being a playing ground for the international geopolitical game. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was developed with a vision to enhance regional cooperation along with economic development in the form of trade and commerce. However, it raises some issues as China’s rise in Asia creates an invisible competition in geo-political power sharing between India and China. This chapter addresses how Bangladesh as a small South Asian country maintains a relationship and attains a significant amount of funds from both regional superpowers—China and India without aligning to the trajectory of either influence. To what extent regional security will be hampered while managing the two powers for keeping the country’s developmental projects constant will also be discussed. Finally, the chapter will analyze how Bangladesh reaps benefits from superpowers’ conflicts without tilting regional security at the edge of threats.