China, Pakistan and Bangladesh form trilateral bloc: Experts alert of ‘devil triangle’ aimed at India
China, Pakistan and Bangladesh have introduced a trilateral cooperation system to improve economic ties. Indian security experts alert it might evolve into a strategic triangle that threatens India’s supremacy and security in the region.
New Delhi: A day earlier, Bangladesh, China and Pakistan released a trilateral cooperation system to promote financial development and enhance people’s incomes. In a meeting held in Kunming on June 19 in China, three sides stressed that China-Bangladesh-Pakistan ties stick to real multilateralism and open regionalism, not directed at any 3rd party, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Trilateral bloc, an issue for India
It is a popular fact that China and Pakistan are all-weather good friends however the joining of Bangladesh and forming a trilateral bloc is a cause of concern in Indian circles. About a year back, Dhaka utilized to be a good friend of Delhi given that the country helped in their independence from Pakistan. Things changed after the stepping down of the then Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Experts on the ‘devil triangle’
Asianet Newsable English has spoken to a number of foreign and security affairs experts to understand the developments happening in India’s neighbourhood. Calling it the devil triangle with potential to challenge India’s dominance in Bay of Bengal, Geostrategic and security professionals Significant General Sudhakar Jee said: “The triangle might choke Siliguri corridor and cut off northeast from the mainland of India and also sow seeds to balkanise India from both the continental borders and the IOR.”
Gautam Lahiri, a specialist on Bangladesh affairs stated: “It is disturbing news for India from a security perspective. The new dispensation is trying to become familiar with the old Pakistan and China. This triangle of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China is yet to show its full impact.”
Centre for Joint Warfare Research Studies (CENJOWS) director general Major General Ashok Kumar (Retd) said: “After the change of regime in Bangladesh, Dhaka has bandwagoned China and Pakistan. It is on its way to becoming East Pakistan. Not just this, Bangladesh has also been moving into the lap of China.”
Former Bangladesh Army officer and diplomat Major General Shahidul Haq (Retd), who had also served as an ambassador to several countries, said: “These countries have already mentioned in their statements that it is not directed to any 3rd country. Most of the Bangladeshis don’t want any strategic or defence or military alignment with anyone. This was what everyone very strongly felt. I also read statements from all these 3 countries and found out that more economic and common social parameters are involved in it,” Shahidul Haq said.
Subhashish Banerjee, Founder, P3 Think Tank, said: “It is now crystal clear that China is attempting to take control of the Asian economic passage, and thus, creating space for the Belt and Road Initiative is nothing but a central thought process. This cannot be endorsed as an act of a mature power. It looks more like a self-centric approach than a partnership.”
Operation Sindoor redraws China’s outreach
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s military operation against terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan, China has been trying to consolidate its position in the South Asian region and it could be a reason that Beijing is bringing together 2 of India’s immediate neighbours– Pakistan and Bangladesh under its fold.
