Recent reports indicate that Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh are engaged in discussions to establish a new regional bloc, potentially replacing the largely inactive South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). This move is seen by some as an attempt to counter India's influence in the region and foster greater regional integration and connectivity.

SAARC, established in 1985, aimed to promote cooperation among South Asian countries. However, the organization's effectiveness has been hampered by ongoing tensions, primarily between India and Pakistan. The last official SAARC summit took place in 2014 in Kathmandu. A summit scheduled for 2016 in Islamabad was cancelled after India boycotted it following a terror attack in Uri. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan also withdrew, citing concerns about terrorism and regional instability.

The proposed new bloc aims to address the shortcomings of SAARC by focusing on economic integration, infrastructure development, and strategic cooperation. Reports suggest that discussions between Pakistan and China are in advanced stages. Bangladesh participated in a meeting in Kunming, China, on June 19, 2025, to explore the formation of this new group. The goal of the Kunming meeting was to invite other South Asian nations, including former SAARC members like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan, to join the emerging platform.

While Bangladesh has downplayed the idea of a formal alliance, describing the Kunming meeting as non-political and at an official level, the initiative is viewed by many as a significant geopolitical development. The meeting in Kunming follows a trilateral dialogue in May between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, focusing on expanding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and deepening cooperation with Afghanistan.

Both China and Pakistan reportedly believe that a new organization is necessary for regional integration and connectivity. Diplomatic sources suggest that India may also be invited to join the new bloc. However, given the existing strategic differences, India's participation remains uncertain. If this new initiative materializes, it could reshape the landscape of South Asian cooperation, providing an alternative to the currently ineffective SAARC framework.