China drives new South Asia bloc as SAARC fades

Diplomatic Correspondent :

South Asia may soon witness the emergence of a new regional bloc, led by China, aimed at enhancing trade, connectivity, and shared development among participating nations.

The move comes in the wake of rising geopolitical tensions-particularly between India and Pakistan-and the recent 12-day Iran-Israel conflict that involved direct US intervention.

These developments have prompted renewed calls for regional cooperation and resilience.

According to a report by Pakistan’s Express Tribune, active efforts are underway to establish the bloc, which is being seen by some as a potential alternative to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has remained largely inactive due to enduring hostilities-primarily between India and Pakistan, and increasingly between India and China.

The initiative gained visibility during a recent trilateral meeting held on 19 June in Kunming, Yunnan Province, involving representatives from China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

The talks were attended by Bangladesh’s former acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, and Pakistan’s Additional Secretary for Asia Pacific Imran Ahmed Siddiqui. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joined the first phase of the meeting virtually.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded to the development by stating that it was monitoring regional dynamics closely.

“We maintain a constant watch on developments in our neighbourhood that may impact our interests and security,” said ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a recent press briefing. “Our bilateral relationships are guided by independent objectives, while also taking into account the evolving geopolitical context.”

The Express Tribune report also suggested that India may be invited to join the proposed forum, although its participation remains unlikely given conflicting regional interests. In contrast, other South Asian countries-including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Afghanistan-are expected to engage with the new framework.

Observers note that this initiative could signal the functional end of SAARC, once hailed as the ‘European Union of South Asia.’ The organisation has remained effectively dormant since the 2016 summit was cancelled, following India’s decision to boycott the meeting in Pakistan after terror attacks on its soil.

Despite repeated calls from the current Interim Government in Dhaka for reviving SAARC, including appeals by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, little progress has been made. India’s lack of engagement has continued to stall efforts to rejuvenate the forum.

Speaking at the Kunming meeting, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong reiterated Beijing’s ambition of building a “community with a shared future” with its neighbours.

He described both Bangladesh and Pakistan as “key partners” in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), highlighting their shared goals of national development and regional integration amid global uncertainty.

“This trilateral cooperation is rooted in mutual interest and aims to contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” said Weidong. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that the initiative seeks inclusive cooperation without targeting any third party.

The proposed trilateral framework will initially focus on economic cooperation and improving livelihoods through joint initiatives in trade, maritime affairs, agriculture, water resources, climate action, health, education, youth engagement, and human resource development. A dedicated working group will be formed to oversee and implement these collaborative efforts.

However, clarifying Bangladesh’s position, Foreign Ministry Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasised that the initiative should not be construed as a formal alliance. “We are not forming any alliance,” he told reporters last Thursday.

“This is entirely an official-level engagement initiated by China. It was held alongside an exhibition, where the foreign secretaries met to discuss trade, connectivity, and other practical matters. There was no political agreement or alliance-building involved.”

Hossain further downplayed speculation, stating, “This was about creating practical opportunities-not strategic alignments. I don’t think it needs to be interpreted beyond that.”