Since 2016, China’s economic activity in Bangladesh has attracted criticism from observers in India. The critics feared that Beijing could use trade and investment to influence Dhaka’s decision-making.
This pattern became more pronounced in 2020, after New Delhi began restricting Chinese investment in April, and border clashes between Chinese and Indian troops began in May.
The events precipitated a new media cycle, wherein China’s relationship with Bangladesh was described in the context of India’s relationship with China.
It was triggered by a trade concession.
Media reports that Bangladesh accepted a trade concession from China emerged on June 19, days after the deadliest clash between China and India in Ladakh occurred.