China, Bangladesh Sign 13 MoUs, Strengthen Teesta Cooperation

In a development with far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications for South Asia, China and Bangladesh have signed 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) , including a landmark agreement to deepen cooperation on the Teesta River , a strategically important transboundary river that has long remained at the centre of the India-Bangladesh water-sharing dispute .

The agreements were signed after talks between Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Beijing's Great Hall of the People . The MoUs cover a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, education, media, artificial intelligence, digital economy, renewable energy and river management , signalling a broader expansion of bilateral ties beyond traditional infrastructure projects.

A key outcome was the understanding of the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project , under which the two countries will cooperate on the Teesta Master Plan , flood mitigation, dredging, erosion control, irrigation, inland navigation and water resource management. Bangladesh also sought Chinese technical assistance for its ambitious programme to excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals over the next five years to improve flood resilience and agricultural productivity.

The agreement assumes greater significance as the Teesta River , which originates in Sikkim , flows through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, and remains a politically sensitive issue between New Delhi and Dhaka . A proposed water-sharing treaty negotiated in 2011 has remained unsigned due to objections from the West Bengal government. China has shown interest in the restoration project since 2016 , while India offered technical assistance in 2024 to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the river.

Strategically, the project is located close to India's Siliguri Corridor , or the Chicken's Neck , the narrow land link connecting mainland India with its northeastern states, making any major infrastructure activity in the region closely watched by New Delhi.

The talks also focused on expanding Bangladesh's exports to China , securing concessional loans with lower interest rates and longer grace periods , and encouraging Chinese investment in emerging sectors. China reaffirmed support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and pledged greater cooperation in advanced manufacturing and technology.

Rahman also reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to the One-China policy and is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping , underscoring Dhaka's growing strategic engagement with Beijing. Analysts say the agreements mark a new phase in China-Bangladesh relations , where economic cooperation, water diplomacy and regional geopolitics are becoming increasingly intertwined.