Bangladesh, Pakistan, China Form Trilateral Forum
The launch of this trilateral platform marks a significant development in the South Asian geopolitical landscape, bringing together Pakistan and Bangladesh, which had remained diplomatically distant for decades. The grouping could evolve into a new regional bloc with implications for South Asian geopolitics, especially if the partnership expands to include broader connectivity, defence dialogues, and coordinated positions at international forums.
Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh have established a trilateral forum, marking a new alignment in the region, with the first meeting held in Kunming, China, on June 19 to discuss economic development and cooperation. The forum aims to promote economic development, improve quality of life, and foster a "community with a shared future" among neighboring countries. The three countries have agreed to establish a joint working group to monitor and implement proposals and understandings reached during the meeting.
The trilateral engagement is guided by principles of good-neighborliness, mutual trust, inclusivity, and win-win development, and is not aimed against any third party. Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), identifying priority areas for win-win cooperation, including agriculture technology, mines and minerals, industrial parks, and connectivity. The two countries agreed to fast-track the implementation of projects in these sectors to foster socio-economic development and shared prosperity.
The relations between Islamabad and Dhaka have warmed considerably since the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina last year. Under the interim leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka has actively pursued broader diplomatic horizons, including a new phase of engagement with both China and Pakistan. China has sought to deepen its influence in South Asia through economic diplomacy and regional connectivity initiatives, advancing its long-term regional objectives.
The formation of a China-Pakistan-Bangladesh alignment could pose significant diplomatic and security concerns for India, particularly as some of the proposed Chinese-supported infrastructure projects lie close to India's sensitive northeastern corridor. The trilateral mechanism remains in its formative stages, but the institutionalisation of these ties signals a deliberate attempt by the three countries to explore long-term cooperation beyond bilateral engagements.