China Replaces India as Bangladesh’s Key Medical Tourism Partner

Reading Time: 4 minutes For years, India was the first—and often only—destination for Bangladeshis seeking medical treatment abroad. Affordable, accessible, and equipped with a vast network of tertiary hospitals, India served as a natural extension of Bangladesh’s constrained healthcare system. However, by mid-2025, a fundamental shift is underway: China has emerged as the new primary medical partner for Bangladesh, redirecting thousands of patients and billions in potential revenue. What began as a limited initiative by Chinese hospitals in Yunnan province has evolved into a coordinated strategy. Kunming, once peripheral to Bangladesh’s regional orientation, is now the site of deepening cross-border cooperation in healthcare—signalling Beijing’s growing investment in soft power diplomacy and its expanding role in South Asian public service delivery. From Dependency to Diversification: The Historical Context Medical tourism from Bangladesh to India has been a longstanding phenomenon. According to India’s Ministry of Tourism, Bangladesh accounted for nearly 57% of