Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought to downplay the Chinese opposition to Bangladesh's independence in 1971, saying world politics had influenced China's stance at that time.
"China perhaps did not support Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War due to the perspective of world politics at that time," she told a press conference.
Hasina, who this week returned after a three-day visit to China, said talks with China were initiated for recognition to Bangladesh soon after independence, by the government of her father and country's founding president Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"Had he (Bangabandhu) been alive (for few more days), the Chinese recognition would have come during his tenure ... however, the recognition came after his death," Hasina said.
Mujibur Rahaman was killed along with most of his family members in a coup on August 15, 1971.
While China had extended its support to the then West Pakistan, Indian had crucially backed Bangladesh's Liberation War.
Analysts say the post-independence government in Bangladesh desperately wanted to develop ties with China but the 1975 coup toppled the government while the talks were underway. Subsequent governments in Dhaka continued to follow up on that policy and a changed world scenario favoured Sino-Bangla ties.
During Hasina's June 6-11 Beijing tour the two countries signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, a joint venture agreement on coal-based power and two memorandums of understanding.
China was one of the major countries apart from India and Russia which supported the ruling Awami League's stance in holding the January 5 polls despite boycott by main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
