A new defence pact between Bangladesh and China has upset India, despite Dhaka's assertions New Delhi has no reason to worry. Analysts say Bangladesh is looking eastwards in a major foreign policy shift triggered by deteriorating relations with India.
They said recent developments were forcing Bangladesh - surrounded by India on three sides - to come out of the shadow of 'Big Brother' and forge ties with other countries in the region.
This week, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan forcefully advocated 'closer ties with China and the nations of Southeast Asia', while outlining the country's foreign policy priorities this year. Mr Khan said that by 'diversifying' diplomatic relations, Bangladesh would reap trade and economic benefits.
'We will come out of our isolation and reach out to many countries this year,' he said.
Besides China, Bangladesh is wooing Thailand and Myanmar, evidenced by Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's back-to-back trip to Beijing and Bangkok last month and a visit to Dhaka by Myanmar's ruler, General Than Shwe.
The defence pact with China - for training and development of the two countries' armed forces - that raised New Delhi's hackles was one of four agreements reached during Begum Zia's five-day visit to Beijing. China has also agreed to fund the construction of a bridge over the Dhaleswari River near Dhaka.