Islamabad:
China, Pakistan and Bangladesh have formed a first trilateral forum in a significant development that highlights new adjustments in the region.
The first meeting of the newly created trilateral meeting was held in Kunming, Yunnan Province in China on Thursday.
The negotiations held on June 19, the Chinese Deputy Minister of Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladesh’s acting foreign secretary ruhul Alam Siddique and Pakistan gathered the extra secretary of the Asia-Academy, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.
Pakistan’s foreign secretary AMNA Baloch also joined the first phase of discussions via video link.
Bangladesh had strained the tape with Pakistan, and the relationship with China was not smooth in the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina Wajid. But since her exhaust last August, the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh has seen dramatic improvement, while China has also stepped in to promote its interests.
The creation of the trilateral forum was the result of behind the stage effort from three countries. It will raise eyebrows in India, which suffered a setback after removing the Hasina government.
However, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh emphasized that their new initiative was not aimed at any third country.
According to the declaration of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Sun, Peking’s obligation to promote a “society with a common future” among neighboring countries. He described both Pakistan and Bangladesh as “good neighbors, good friends and important partners in high quality belt and road cooperation.”
“All three countries are key members in the global south and share the mission of national revitalization and modernization,” said Sun. “This trilateral collaboration is not only in line with our people’s collective hopes, but is also important to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”
The trilateral dialogue focused on promoting economic development and improving the quality of life across the three nations. The delegations held in -depth discussions about launching collaborative initiatives in sectors such as industry, trade, maritime affairs, water resources, agriculture, climate change, education, youth exchange, healthcare, thinking tank collaboration and the development of human resources.
The three countries agreed to establish a joint working group for monitoring and implementing the proposals and understanding reached during the meeting.
All sides emphasized that the China-Pakistan-Bangladesh-trilateral commitment would be guided by principles of good-needing, mutual trust, inclusive and win-win development. They also clarified that the frame is adhering to genuine multilateralism and open regionalism and is not aimed at any third party.
The meeting marks a new phase in regional diplomacy, where China aims to build wider cooperative platforms that extend beyond traditional bilateral engagements.
Observers say the Kunming meeting could serve as a foundation for future China-led initiatives in South Asia, with an emphasis on development-driven diplomacy.
