MEA Stays Vigilant as Bangladesh Fast-Tracks Chinese Economic Corridor

India has said it is closely monitoring Bangladesh's decision to pursue the development of the Teesta River and a proposed economic corridor with China's assistance, indicating that it will take "appropriate measures" based on evolving regional developments. Responding to questions during a weekly media briefing on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that New Delhi remains vigilant about strategic developments in its neighbourhood and will factor them into its overall approach to bilateral and regional issues. The comments come amid growing cooperation between Bangladesh and China on key infrastructure initiatives.

Jaiswal said India's development assistance to Bangladesh continues to be guided by a mutually agreed roadmap that is reviewed periodically. Referring specifically to the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, he noted that India's views had already been conveyed to the Bangladeshi government. While declining to elaborate on New Delhi's specific concerns, he said all recent developments related to the Teesta project would be taken into consideration as India formulates its future policy on the matter.

The issue gained prominence following Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China last month, during which Dhaka and Beijing agreed to cooperate on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. During the visit, Rahman sought Chinese technical assistance for Bangladesh's river management initiatives, and China's Water Resources Minister Li Guoying assured full cooperation. Chinese experts have already completed a feasibility study for the proposed project, reflecting Beijing's expanding role in Bangladesh's infrastructure development.

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China has also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the proposed China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CBMEC). Speaking in Dhaka, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said Beijing intends to move forward with both the economic corridor and government-to-government cooperation on the Teesta project. The proposed corridor is viewed as strategically significant because it would provide China with greater connectivity to the Bay of Bengal, strengthening its economic and logistical presence in South Asia.

India has closely watched Bangladesh's increasing engagement with China on major infrastructure projects, a trend that began under the caretaker administration led by Muhammad Yunus and has continued under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government headed by Tarique Rahman. Indian officials have expressed concerns that Chinese involvement in projects near the Teesta River could have strategic implications, particularly because of the river's proximity to the narrow Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the "Chicken's Neck," which connects India's northeastern states with the rest of the country.

The Teesta River remains one of the few major transboundary rivers shared by India and Bangladesh without a formal water-sharing agreement. During former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in June 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed India's willingness to support conservation and management of the Bangladeshi section of the river through technical cooperation. As Bangladesh expands its partnership with China on the project, the Teesta issue is expected to remain an important element of India-Bangladesh relations and regional strategic calculations.

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