ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China have launched a trilateral cooperation mechanism, pledging to strengthen “win-win cooperation” and deepen ties across multiple sectors.
This marks a subtle but important shift in the strategic dynamics of South Asia.
New Forum to Boost Trade and Strategic Ties
The inaugural meeting of the Bangladesh-China-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign Secretary mechanism was held on June 19 in Kunming, China.
Attendees included Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladesh’s Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul
Alam Siddique, and Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joined the session via video link.
Inaugural meeting of Bangladesh-China-Pakistan trilateral mechanism was held on 19 June in Kunming, China.
It was co-chaired by Acting Forein Secretary of Bangladesh, Mr. Ruhul Alam Siddiqui, Chinese VFM Sun Weidong and Ambassador Amna Baloch, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, who… pic.twitter.com/S0Ml042HCx— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 20, 2025
Ms Baloch expressed Pakistan’s eagerness to deepen engagement with China and South Asian countries.
She highlighted growing bilateral ties with both China and Bangladesh, emphasizing cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, digital economy, environmental protection, marine sciences, green infrastructure, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The three countries agreed to establish a joint working group to implement the agreements made during the talks, aiming to enhance practical cooperation.
Strategic Implications for South Asia
The trilateral forum represents a notable development, particularly as Pakistan and Bangladesh had remained diplomatically distant for decades.
Relations have warmed significantly since the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year.
Under interim leadership, Bangladesh has pursued broader diplomatic ties with China and Pakistan, moving away from a previously India-leaning stance.
China’s involvement reflects its strategic goal to increase influence in South Asia through economic diplomacy and regional connectivity initiatives.
For Pakistan and Bangladesh, resumed trade, military exchanges, and high-level dialogue signal a new phase of cooperation.
The emerging China-Pakistan-Bangladesh alignment could impact regional geopolitics, especially regarding India’s security concerns around infrastructure projects near its northeastern corridor.
While still in early stages, this trilateral mechanism could evolve into a significant regional bloc, potentially expanding to defense cooperation and coordinated international positions.
A joint working group will help accelerate discussions and deepen collaboration across sectors.
