China has warned Bangladesh that their bilateral ties would be "substantially damaged" if Dhaka participated in any form in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as Quad.

Describing Quad as a “small group of elites” working against China, the country’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming, said: "It would not be a good idea" for Dhaka to participate in the small club of four.  Quad is an informal strategic dialogue established between the US, Japan, Australia and India but what has now come to be seen as a strategic forum against Beijing's "expansionist" designs in the region.

“Quad says it is only for economic purposes and security and so on. But that’s not true. We know that Quad is aimed at China.”

“Japan, together with the US, has stated it very clearly – they are participating in [Quad] because of China,” the ambassador said.

The grouping is widely held as a counter to China’s growing economic and military clout, bdnews24.com reported.

“Obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club of four because it will substantially damage our bilateral relationship,” Jiming said.

The ambassador also raised the possibility of China backing Bangladesh’s efforts on the Teesta river management project.  Once Bangladesh submitted a feasibility report, China would "seriously consider" its involvement in the project.

The Teesta river management project would dredge and embank large portions of the river in order to form a single, manageable channel.

Jiming allayed fears that water sharing disputes between Bangladesh and India could affect the project.

(SAM)