Pakistan and Bangladesh explore new regional ties without India’s involvement
Pakistan has shown willingness to explore a new regional partnership with Bangladesh, signalling a potential shift in South Asian cooperation. The proposal follows recent trilateral talks involving Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, as well as an existing mechanism with China and Bangladesh. Officials from both countries have hinted at deeper collaboration without involving India.
In June 2025, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China launched a trilateral cooperation framework, with the first meeting taking place in Kunming, China. The agreement focuses on economic, technological, and connectivity projects, though it does not target any specific third country. China’s role is significant, given its strong ties with both nations—Pakistan as an 'all-weather strategic partner' and Bangladesh through expanding bilateral relations.
Earlier, in December 2024, Bangladesh and Pakistan had already strengthened bilateral ties through cargo shipments and educational scholarships. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended a separate trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, alongside Turkey and Azerbaijan, pledging greater cooperation in multiple sectors.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain later stated that a regional bloc excluding India was strategically feasible. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi reinforced this stance, affirming Islamabad’s belief in multilateralism and its openness to any proposal from Dhaka.
The discussions mark a step toward closer regional ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, independent of India’s involvement. While no formal agreement has been finalised, the existing trilateral mechanism with China and separate talks with Turkey suggest broader cooperation could develop. Both sides have emphasised practical collaboration over political alignment.
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