Closely monitor activities of foreign powers in Bangladesh: Parliamentary panel to Centre

The panel observed with “concern the increasing Chinese footprint in Bangladesh, particularly in infrastructure development, port expansion, and defence cooperation, including the Mongla Port project and Lalmonirhat airbase”. It noted that Bangladesh signed an agreement with China in March 2025 to implement a USD 370 million expansion project at Mongla Port. The committee also noted that Lalmonirhat Airbase is being developed with Chinese assistance although the Director of Military Operations of Bangladesh Army has stated that there are “currently no plans to upgrade the airstrip for military use”. The panel has recommend that the “government closely monitor the activities of…