Bangladesh-China-Pakistan to form trilateral platform

Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan have taken a significant step toward strengthening regional cooperation by agreeing to establish a trilateral platform aimed at promoting mutual development, trust, and regional stability.

The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting in Kunming, China, attended by former acting Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Ruhul Alam Siddique, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, and Pakistan’s Additional Secretary for Asia-Pacific Affairs Imran Ahmed Siddiqui. Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch also joined the meeting virtually in its initial phase.

This marks the first formal engagement under the proposed Bangladesh-China-Pakistan trilateral mechanism.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the initiative is rooted in the principles of genuine multilateralism and open regional cooperation, emphasizing that the partnership is not directed against any third party.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong described Bangladesh and Pakistan as "good neighbors, friends, and partners of China," and said the trilateral cooperation aims to support shared goals of national development and modernization. “Achieving these objectives requires a peaceful and stable regional environment,” he noted.

The countries agreed to collaborate across a wide range of sectors including economic development, trade, infrastructure, water resources, climate change, agriculture, healthcare, education, and youth engagement. A dedicated working group will be formed to oversee project implementation.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the meeting also emphasized enhanced regional connectivity, investment, the digital economy, green infrastructure, and cultural and educational exchanges.

On the sidelines of the trilateral talks, Sun Weidong also held separate discussions with Afghanistan’s interim Deputy Prime Minister Haji Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, as well as with the Bangladeshi and Pakistani delegates.

As of now, the Government of Bangladesh has not issued an official statement on the outcome of the meeting.