Latest news with #China-Pakistan-Bangladesh
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, China & BD set up trilateral forum
China, Pakistan and Bangladesh have formed a first trilateral forum, in a significant development that highlights new alignments in the region. The first meeting of the newly-formed trilateral meeting was held in Kunming, Yunnan province of China on Thursday. The talks, held on June 19, brought together Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladesh's Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, and Pakistan's Additional Secretary for Asia-Pacific, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui. Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch also joined the first phase of the discussions via video link. Bangladesh had strained ties with Pakistan and relationship with China was not smooth during the 15-year-rule of Sheikh Hasina Wajid. But since her ouster in August last year, relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh have seen dramatic improvement while China has also stepped in to advance its interests. The establishment of trilateral forum was the result of behind the scene efforts by three countries. It will certain raise eye brows in India, which suffered a setback after the removal of Hasina government. Pakistan, China and Bangladesh, however, stressed that their new initiative was not aimed at any third country. According to the statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Vice Foreign Minister Sun reiterated Beijing's commitment to fostering a "community with a shared future" among neighboring countries. He described both Pakistan and Bangladesh as "good neighbors, good friends, and important partners in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation." "All three countries are key members of the Global South and share the mission of national revitalization and modernization," Sun said. "This trilateral cooperation is not only in line with the collective aspirations of our people but is also essential for ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region." The trilateral dialogue focused on promoting economic development and improving the quality of life across the three nations. The delegations held in-depth discussions on launching cooperation initiatives in sectors such as industry, trade, maritime affairs, water resources, agriculture, climate change, education, youth exchange, healthcare, think tank collaboration, and human resource development. The three countries agreed to establish a joint working group to monitor and implement the proposals and understandings reached during the meeting. All sides emphasised that the China-Pakistan-Bangladesh trilateral engagement would be guided by principles of good-neighborliness, mutual trust, inclusivity, and win-win development. They also clarified that the framework adheres to true multilateralism and open regionalism, and is not aimed against any third party. The meeting marks a new phase in regional diplomacy, with China aiming to build broader cooperative platforms that extend beyond traditional bilateral engagements. Observers say the Kunming meeting could serve as a foundation for future China-led initiatives in South Asia, with an emphasis on development-driven diplomacy.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
China hosts first trilateral with Pakistan, Bangladesh
New Delhi: China has played host to foreign secretaries of Pakistan and Bangladesh in the first-ever trilateral format, a development viewed as significant in India. The foreign secretaries agreed to enhance trilateral cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investment, health, education and maritime affairs in their meeting held in Kunming in Yunnan province of China on Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said. China's vice foreign minister Sun Weidong, Bangladesh's acting foreign secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique and Pakistan's additional secretary (Asia Pacific) Imran Ahmed Siddiqui attended the meeting. Pakistan's foreign secretary Amna Baloch participated in the first phase of the meeting via video link. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like IELTS Cheat Sheet: Grab Your Free Tips! IELTS Prep Pro Learn More Undo The statement said the three countries will establish a working group to follow up and implement the understandings reached during the meeting. It claimed that China-Pakistan-Bangladesh cooperation adheres to true multilateralism and open regionalism, not directed at any third party. Pakistan, whose ties with Bangladesh under PM Sheikh Hasina were lukewarm, has boosted its collaboration with Dhaka since last August across a slew of areas including defence, trade, diplomacy and people-to-people connect. The Pakistan Army and ISI are believed to have played a key role in Hasina's ouster. Live Events Pakistan, which is looking to strengthen its ties with Bangladesh under the interim administration, is not only seeking to firm up defence partnership but also push trade and investment ties. Since last November, the Chittagong Port has received two ships carrying commercial items from Pakistan and there are attempts to scuttle India's access to the port. China, which initially went on the backfoot following Hasina's ouster, has made inroads in the interim regime riding on the economic partnership.
