Dhaka: The recent ouster of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister of Bangladesh has sparked concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the region. Reports suggest that China, with the collaboration of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), played a significant role in the events leading to Hasina's resignation, raising alarms about the dangers of deepening ties with China.

Sheikh Hasina's government was known for its pro-China stance, having welcomed Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with several projects underway in Bangladesh. However, like other nations that have embraced BRI projects, Bangladesh now faces the risk of falling into a debt trap. The recent developments indicate that China has shifted its strategy, allegedly working with ISI to establish a government in Dhaka that would align less with India and more with Beijing's interests.

Intelligence reports suggest that China supported ISI in escalating protests and unrest in Bangladesh, which ultimately forced Hasina to step down. The student-led protests against job quotas were allegedly amplified into a broader political movement by pro-Pakistan and pro-China elements within the country. The fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami, a long-time ally of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), reportedly gained control of the movement with financial backing from Chinese entities operating in Pakistan. The Ministry of State Security of China is suspected of being involved, with support from pro-China elements within Hasina's administration.

Despite her efforts to maintain a balanced relationship with both China and India, Sheikh Hasina's attempts to keep Beijing appeased appear to have backfired. Beijing was reportedly displeased with her efforts to also engage with India, particularly regarding projects such as the Teesta river management agreement. China's discontent was evident during Hasina's last official visit to Beijing in July, where she received a lukewarm reception from Chinese leaders. Despite her expectations of securing a $5 billion loan to help Bangladesh meet its foreign debt obligations, she returned home with only $137 million.

The strained relations between Dhaka and Beijing were further highlighted during the inauguration of the Padma Bridge in June 2022, a project that Sheikh Hasina proudly declared as a symbol of Bangladesh's self-reliance. Although China was involved in the bridge's construction, primarily through technical support, Hasina emphasized that the project was funded entirely by Bangladesh. This assertion reportedly irked Beijing, which sought to link the project to the BRI.

China's strategic interest in Bangladesh, particularly its desire for secure access to the Indian Ocean, has been a driving force behind its involvement in the country's political landscape. The Global Times, a Chinese state-run newspaper, has highlighted the importance of Bangladesh's geographical location for China's broader strategic goals in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The article's call for Dhaka to maintain a balanced and independent foreign policy was seen as a subtle warning against leaning too closely towards India or the United States.

With Sheikh Hasina's departure, the possibility of a pro-China, pro-Pakistan government in Dhaka loomed large. However, the appointment of Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus as the head of the interim government has raised hopes that Bangladesh may resist falling further into Beijing's sphere of influence. Yunus, known for his exposure to liberal democratic traditions, is expected to approach Bangladesh's economic challenges with caution, potentially steering clear of the BRI trap.

As Bangladesh navigates this period of political uncertainty, the true extent of Beijing's influence remains to be seen. The unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often dangerous dynamics at play in the region, where the interests of powerful neighbors like China and Pakistan can significantly impact the internal affairs of smaller nations.