Though the recent trilateral summit in the Chinese city of Kunming of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh specifically stated that it was not against any other party, it could not have failed to cause worries in New Delhi, and by extension in Washington. This is not solely the global context of the US-China rivalry, but the regional context of the Sino-Indian rivalry, where the USA has been attempting to prop up India as a counterweight. While Pakistan is at daggers drawn with India, a relationship worsened by their recent clash and prolonged by India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Bangladesh has been counted as firmly in the Indian camp while under the Awami League, which had ruled Bangladesh continuously from 2009 until last August. It is also worth noting that Pakistan has joined Chinese diplomatic efforts of late, having been part of another trilateral meeting, that between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and his Pakistani and Afghan counterparts Ishaq Dar and Amir Khan Muttaqi respectively.
The Kunming meeting was at the Vice-Minister/Foreign Secretary level, with China sending its Vice-Minister and Pakistan and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary level officials. That would imply that it was still at a preliminary level. It should also be seen within the context of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, with a number of the linkages provided by the BRI to Central Asia through Gwadar also providing Bangladesh a route for its exports there. It is worth noting that the three agreed to increase cooperation in a wide array of areas, but there was no mention of furthering Defence cooperation.
Despite this non-threatening posture, the tripartite alliance is clearly designed to counter Indian, and thus US, influence in the region. Chinese cooperation with Nepal and Bhutan already have caused qualms in India, while if there was a similar understanding with Sri Lanka, India would stand isolated in the region. India should realize that being a bully does not impress states; they acknowledge the superiority of states that can give something, like roads, ports or bridges, all of which and more are part of the BRI. It should also be noted that US-Bangladesh relations have been strained of late, which means that its traditional pro-US stance via India, is as doubtful as Pakistan’s. The USA should realize that its regional policeman is not up to the job.
