DHAKA, June 23 — Nearly a decade after joining China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Bangladesh is preparing to become part of another major Chinese global platform, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), marking a significant step forward in Dhaka-Beijing relations.

The development is expected to be formalized during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's ongoing visit to China, where an agreement on Bangladesh's participation in the initiative is likely to be signed.

Prime Minister Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on June 25. Following the meeting, the two sides are expected to sign or exchange around 17 agreements, memorandums of understanding (MoUs), action plans and cooperation documents, including one related to the GDI.

Diplomatic analysts believe Bangladesh's participation in the initiative could elevate bilateral relations to a new level and create broader opportunities for development cooperation.

What is the Global Development Initiative?

Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Global Development Initiative in September 2021 during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and support the development priorities of developing countries.

The GDI focuses on eight key areas: poverty reduction, food security, pandemic response and vaccine cooperation, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, the digital economy and connectivity, and infrastructure development.

China has repeatedly emphasized that the GDI is a development-focused international platform rather than a military or security alliance.

Why Bangladesh is Interested

China has been encouraging Bangladesh to join the initiative since its launch in 2021. The issue has been discussed extensively during bilateral meetings and high-level exchanges over the past several years.

Analysts say Bangladesh's interest in the GDI is driven by several strategic considerations.

As the country graduates from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026, it is seeking new sources of development financing, technology transfer and capacity-building support. Participation in the GDI could provide additional opportunities in infrastructure development, digital transformation, climate adaptation and human resource development.

Bangladesh is already a participant in the Belt and Road Initiative, and joining the GDI is expected to further institutionalize economic and development cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative also aligns with Bangladesh's priorities in areas such as climate resilience, food security, healthcare and digital transformation.

Dhaka Remains Cautious on Security Initiatives

While Bangladesh appears ready to join the GDI, it remains cautious regarding China's security-related platforms, including the Global Security Initiative (GSI).

Diplomatic sources suggest Dhaka prefers to keep development cooperation separate from geopolitical and security considerations, maintaining its longstanding policy of balanced foreign relations.

Growing International Support

According to Chinese officials, more than 100 countries and international organizations have expressed support for the GDI. In addition, over 80 countries have joined the "Group of Friends of the GDI" at the United Nations.

China argues that the initiative is gradually evolving into a major international platform for development cooperation.

Experts See New Opportunities

Former Bangladeshi Ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmad said Beijing had approached Dhaka about joining the initiative several years ago.

"China has been inviting Bangladesh to become part of the GDI for quite some time. Since we are already involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, which shares many of the same development objectives, I see no major obstacle to Bangladesh joining the GDI," he said.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam recently indicated that Bangladesh is considering participation in some of President Xi Jinping's global initiatives and would make its position clear following the Prime Minister's visit.

"We appreciate these initiatives and believe President Xi's vision for global development deserves serious consideration," he said.

A New Phase in Bangladesh-China Relations

Analysts believe Bangladesh's formal entry into the Global Development Initiative could open new avenues for investment, technology cooperation and sustainable development while strengthening strategic ties between Dhaka and Beijing.

At the same time, they note that Bangladesh will need to carefully balance its growing partnership with China against broader regional and global geopolitical dynamics.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began his overseas tour with a visit to Malaysia on June 21 before traveling to China on June 22. He is expected to return to Bangladesh on June 26 after concluding his official engagements.