China-Pakistan-Bangladesh Bloc May Replace SAARC
In a strategic shift that could redraw the diplomatic contours of South Asia, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have initiated talks to create a new multilateral regional alliance that would effectively replace the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Senior officials from the three countries met on June 19 in Kunming, China, to explore alternatives to the now-dormant SAARC platform, seeking to build a structure more amenable to functional cooperation and trade, without India’s involvement.
SAARC’s Decline and Vacuum
SAARC, formed in 1985 to enhance regional integration and development among South Asian countries, has remained largely non-functional since 2016 due to persistent hostilities, particularly between India and Pakistan. Summits have repeatedly been postponed or disrupted. As a result, regional mechanisms under SAARC have stagnated, leaving a vacuum that countries like China are now looking to fill through alternative arrangements.
Kunming Dialogue: Beyond Symbolism
The Kunming meeting, attended by top diplomats from China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, reportedly revolved around building a more pragmatic and flexible regional institution. The proposed alliance aims to foster trade, connectivity, and political dialogue while steering clear of the political deadlocks that have rendered SAARC ineffective. According to officials involved, the group would remain open to other South Asian nations including Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan—creating an open-ended platform without Indian dominance.
Strategic Implications for India
This developing bloc could sideline India from regional economic and diplomatic leadership in South Asia. With China likely to assume a leading role, the alliance offers Pakistan a multilateral platform outside Indian oversight and gives Bangladesh broader leverage on trade and infrastructure. While there is no formal exclusion of India, the structure appears designed to operate efficiently without New Delhi’s participation or consent.
