DHAKA ¨C China¡¯s influence in Bangladesh, boosted by the 2024 ouster of New Delhi-aligned leader Sheikh Hasina, is likely to deepen after this week¡¯s election, although politicians and analysts say India is too large a neighbor to be sidelined completely.
Bangladesh votes on Feb. 12 and the two frontrunner parties have historically had far cooler ties with India than Hasina did during her uninterrupted 15-year rule from 2009. Her Awami League party is now banned and she is in self-imposed exile in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, China has stepped up its investment and diplomatic outreach in Dhaka, most recently signing a defense deal to build a drone factory near Bangladesh¡¯s border ?with India.
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