Sino-Japanese Reactive Diplomacy Through BRI and FOIP in Bangladesh: Economic Implications

Abstract

This study delves into the realm of Sino-Japanese reactive diplomacy within the context of Bangladesh. It primarily examines their engagements through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. The study evaluates these diplomatic efforts’ economic upshots in a continuously changing regional context. The contest between China and Japan for influence in Bangladesh has grown in the last few years due to the country’s constant economic growth. This study investigates how both nations use reactive diplomacy, reacting to each other’s actions and changing tactics to support Bangladesh’s economic growth. The Chinese government has invested significantly in infrastructure-related projects in Bangladesh as a part of the BRI, and Japan’s FOIP strategy strongly emphasises connectedness and high-quality infrastructure. This dichotomy of approaches leads to an intricate web of interactions with local stakeholders, reflecting diverse economic implications. However, the study emphasises how crucial it is to examine Bangladesh’s strategy for navigating this diplomatic rivalry—that is, how to balance the economic gains from bilateral investments while avoiding undue reliance or political entanglements.