Mar 17, Kathmandu- Mohammad Yunus, a key leader of Bangladesh's transitional government, is set to visit Beijing this month for a diplomatic goodwill visit.

His visit to China comes at a time when relations with neighbouring India are cooling.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus has taken over the reins of Bangladesh, replacing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted by student protests last August.

India was Hasina's government's biggest benefactor, and at a time when her departure has strained cross-border relations with India, analysts say the caretaker government led by Yunus is seeking to deepen its old friendship with Beijing, New Delhi's main rival for power and influence in the Asian subcontinent.

Yunus's communication secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Sunday, "Bangladesh aims to take bilateral relations to new heights."

"Yunus and high-ranking Chinese officials will discuss various issues related to both countries," he said.

Yunus is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit from March 26 to 29.

While in China, he is scheduled to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Peking University and meet with various Chinese firms to explore investment opportunities.

"Bangladesh wants to become a manufacturing hub and is willing to partner with China in this endeavor," Alam said.

Diplomatic talks are also expected to discuss the large population of Rohingya refugees who fled a violent military crackdown in neighboring Myanmar in 2017.

China has previously played a mediating role between Bangladesh and Myanmar, mediating the repatriation of persecuted minorities, but efforts to return refugees have been hampered by Myanmar's reluctance to return them.

Bangladesh's interim Foreign Minister Md. Touhid Hossain visited China last January.

China's Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said last month that Beijing firmly supports Bangladesh's efforts to maintain its national independence, sovereignty, and dignity.