Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has signaled a potential broadening of a trilateral cooperation initiative with Bangladesh and China, suggesting it could evolve into a wider regional bloc. The proposal, articulated at the Islamabad Conclave on Wednesday, comes as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) remains largely paralyzed by tensions between India and Pakistan.
Dar stated the initiative aims to move beyond “zero-sum approaches” and prioritize “cooperation rather than confrontation.” The initial trilateral talks, held in June, focused on regional stability, economic development and improving the lives of citizens, with participants asserting the cooperation was “not directed at any third party.”
The move follows a period of escalating regional friction, including a brief four-day air war between India and Pakistan in May. It likewise occurs against a backdrop of strained relations between Bangladesh and India, stemming from the flight of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2024 following protests in her country. India has resisted repeated requests to return Hasina to Bangladesh.
The situation has further complicated the sporting world, with Bangladesh boycotting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, currently being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns. Pakistan has announced it will not play its scheduled match against India in the tournament, a decision that will result in a forfeit and maximum points awarded to India according to tournament conditions set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The Bangladesh Cricket Board had previously requested that its World Cup fixtures be relocated from India to Sri Lanka. This request followed the release of Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman by the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders, reportedly under instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Bangladeshi authorities responded by banning broadcasts of the IPL within Bangladesh.
Recent unrest in Bangladesh, including the killing of Dipu Chandra Das – a Hindu man allegedly beaten and set on fire – has fueled anger in India and raised concerns about the safety of minority communities. While calls for intervention have emerged in some quarters, experts suggest India is unlikely to capture military action, and Pakistan’s response would likely be limited to indirect measures.
The evolving dynamic between Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan presents a potential alternative to SAARC, which has been hampered by India-Pakistan tensions. Still, the viability of a modern South Asian bloc without India remains uncertain. Pakistan’s proposal to “expand” the trilateral initiative suggests a desire to build broader regional support, but the response from other South Asian nations is yet to be determined.
As of February 20, 2026, the ICC has confirmed playing conditions for the T20 World Cup, enforcing the forfeit rule for Pakistan’s match against India. No further announcements regarding potential punishments or wider impacts have been made by the ICC.
