Overview

• Islamabad and Beijing have reached advanced-stage negotiations following a June 19 trilateral meeting in Kunming with Bangladesh.
• The initiative would invite former SAARC members India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Afghanistan to join the proposed grouping.
• Bangladesh’s interim government has officially denied that it is forming any political alliance with Pakistan and China.
• Key backers view the bloc as a vehicle to revitalise regional cooperation via improved trade routes and infrastructure linkages.
• India’s response remains uncertain as it continues to engage South Asia through alternative frameworks like BIMSTEC and the Quad.