Bangladesh has indicated that it is strategically feasible for the country to join a regional alliance with Pakistan even if India is not included, while a similar alignment may not be possible for other South Asian countries such as Nepal or Bhutan.

According to Bangladesh’s state news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the statement was made by Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Mohammed Tauhid Hossain.

Analysts view it in the context of a recent remark by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who had said that a trilateral initiative involving Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan is already underway and could eventually expand to include other regional and extra-regional countries.

Hossain commented that “Minister Ishaq Dar has made certain statements, and perhaps there could be developments in the future”.

Notably, Ishaq Dar visited Bangladesh in August this year — the first such visit in 13 years.

During this period, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s interim head Mohammed Yunus have held two cordial meetings in recent months.

Observers point out that relations between the two countries have seen a warming trend following last year’s popular movement in Bangladesh, which led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.