In the aftermath of Bangladesh's recent elections, China and Russia are deepening their ties with the South Asian nation, while the West expresses concern over the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Hours after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of the ruling Awami League, secured victory in an election boycotted by the opposition, she received congratulations from a line of foreign diplomats.
Notably, envoys from India, the Philippines, Singapore, and others joined ambassadors from China and Russia in extending their felicitations.
However, the United States and the United Kingdom criticized the election as illegitimate.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US believed the voting process was "not free and fair," expressing regret over the absence of all parties.
The UK condemned what it described as "acts of intimidation and violence" during the election.
In response to the Western criticism, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, AK Abdul Momen, asserted on Tuesday, "We're not bothered."
China has maintained its position as Bangladesh's top trading partner for over a decade, coinciding with Prime Minister Hasina's uninterrupted rule.
Moreover, Russia has also been a key ally, supporting Bangladesh in inaugurating its first nuclear power plant.
In October, Bangladesh received its first supply of uranium from Russia.
Russia further plays a crucial role as a major supplier of essential commodities—fuel, food grains, and fertilizers—to Bangladesh, offering these resources at relatively affordable prices.
As China and Russia deepen their diplomatic and economic engagements with Bangladesh, the strategic shift away from the West appears to be gaining momentum, marking a significant geopolitical development in the new world order.