Bangladesh Strengthening Defence Relations with China, Pakistan, Türkiye and the United States

Reading Time: 5 minutes In the shifting sands of geopolitics, Bangladesh has sought to strike a delicate balance between the competing interests of global and regional powers. As a nation that lies at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, with the Bay of Bengal serving as a maritime artery of strategic significance, Bangladesh has always understood that its security is intertwined with international relations. The evolution of its defence ties with China, Pakistan, Türkiye and the United States reflects both pragmatic national interests and an acute awareness of the vulnerabilities that stem from geography and history. In recent years, Dhaka has undertaken significant steps to deepen its cooperation with these powers, ensuring that its defence policy remains adaptive, multidimensional, and rooted in the core principle of safeguarding sovereignty. China: A Strategic Anchor China has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s defence modernisation for decades. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations