Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first bilateral foreign tour to China and Malaysia from June 21 to 26, 2026, has been hailed as a major success for Bangladesh. Parliament unanimously adopted a motion of thanks for the trip, highlighting China’s commitment to support the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and Malaysia’s decision to reopen its labor market to Bangladeshi workers. Rahman told Parliament that his government prioritized national interests throughout the visits, emphasizing the “Bangladesh First” foreign policy.

During the China visit, President Xi Jinping assured full cooperation in implementing the Teesta Master Plan, valued at about one billion US dollars, to restore the river’s flow and protect livelihoods in northern Bangladesh. The two sides also signed 17 memorandums of understanding covering infrastructure, trade, and investment. In Malaysia, both governments agreed on a 33-point joint declaration across nine sectors, including labor migration, investment, and cultural exchange.

The Teesta project will involve dredging, embankment construction, and reservoir development over ten years, with PowerChina conducting feasibility studies. China described its involvement as humanitarian and research-based, while Bangladesh reaffirmed its sovereign right to pursue the plan for environmental and economic security.