Bangladesh election: will Sheikh Hasina’s China-India balancing act be enough to keep power?

The prime minister has overseen an expanding economy, decreasing poverty, and an uptick in foreign investment – particularly from China

But downsides include internal factionalism and accusations of corruption and misuse of administrative machinery

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Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:00am, 26 Nov 2018Updated: 11:33am, 28 Nov 2018

Over the last decade, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has presided over an expanding economy, higher foreign investment, decreasing poverty and significant strides in human development.

According to UN reports, the literacy rate among Bangladeshi women is now 94 per cent, higher than the 91 per cent rate for men. A child born in the country today has a life expectancy of 73 years, compared with 66 years in India. The enrolment of girls in primary and secondary schools has increased to the point it now surpasses that of boys, while per capita income growth in Bangladesh is 6.2 per cent, compared with 5.4 per cent in the developing world.

But some analysts are still not convinced this track record will be enough to secure Hasina a win in the country’s upcoming parliamentary election.

Bangladesh, which has a population of 165 million and shares borders with Myanmar and India, will go to the polls on December 30.

Under Hasina’s leadership, it has balanced China’s growing interest in gaining influence with India’s unease at its regional rival’s intentions.

As part of its “Belt and Road Initiative”, China plans to spend US$30 billion on infrastructure in Bangladesh – including the US$2.86 billion Sitakundu-Cox’s Bazar marine drive motorway – and is contributing US$753 million to the dual-gauge rail track between Joydevpur and Ishwardi as well as US$1.4 billion to the Dhaka airport to Ashulia motorway.