"In June, diplomats from China, Pakistan and Bangladesh held trilateral talks focusing on regional stability, economic development and enhancing people's lives, a cooperation they said was not directed at any third party. Dar's remarks come against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, including Pakistan's decades-long rivalry with India. The two nuclear-armed neighbours fought a brief four-day air war in May, further straining relations."
"Meanwhile, ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have also deteriorated sharply following the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year. Hasina fled to India after being deposed in a popular uprising, and New Delhi has so far refused to send the former PM back to Bangladesh, where she was convicted by a tribunal in November of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death."
Pakistan's deputy prime minister said a recent trilateral initiative with Bangladesh and China could be expanded to include other regional nations. The initiative emphasizes cooperation over zero-sum approaches and aims to promote regional stability, economic development and improved livelihoods. The proposal effectively creates an alternative South Asian bloc with China included at a time when SAARC has been weakened by India–Pakistan tensions. Relations have deteriorated regionally: a brief India–Pakistan air war in May and worsening Dhaka–New Delhi ties after the ouster and exile of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina complicate prospects for broader South Asian buy-in.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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