As Bangladesh completed its pivotal general election on February 12, 2026, the first since the 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina amid widespread protests—the political landscape is marked by shifting international alliances. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is poised for a sweeping victory in the country’s first parliamentary election since the deadly 2024 uprising. Early trends show the BNP and its allies leading in 212 of 299 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance is ahead in 70 constituencies.
Tarique Rahman has won both Bogra and Dhaka-17 and is set to become the next Prime Minister, pending official results from the Bangladesh Election Commission, expected on Friday.
This Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, has historic ties with China, and these ties are becoming increasingly strong over the past few years, thereby putting China in an extremely advantageous position as they will be in a very crucial role, given that they are considered to be in a potential role of power in Bangladesh. The US, on its part, has begun making overtures to the largest Islamic political party in Bangladesh, that being Jamaat Islami.
BNP's Enduring Relationship with China: Roots and Recent Engagements
The BNP's affair with China goes back to its founding era under Ziaur Rahman, who was Bangladesh's president from 1977 to 1981.
He established full diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1975, soon after Bangladesh’s independence, when it was drifting away from its original axis with India and the Soviet Union.
This move laid the groundwork for military and economic cooperation. Between 1975 and 1980, China supplied 78% of Bangladesh's weapons, aiding the reconstruction of its armed forces post-liberation war.
Zia's widow, Khaleda Zia, who led the BNP and served as prime minister from 1991–1996 and 2001–2006, further strengthened these bonds during her 2002 visit to China.
In the background of the forthcoming electoral event lined up for 2026, BNP delegations have reportedly engaged in discussions with Chinese authorities. For example, "a multi-party delegation of BNP held an interaction with the International Department of Communist Party of China, Beijing, in February, 2025, as observed by BNP standing committee member Assad Hossain.
In the context of Beijing, senior BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan eulogized the role of Ziaur Rahman in establishing a foundation for relations with China by claiming he was instrumental in forging what can only be called a “strategic relationship” between the two countries.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
