DHAKA: Makkah Defence Pact participation could be considered by Bangladesh as Dhaka explores closer economic and defence cooperation with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, according to Bangladeshi media reports.
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said Dhaka maintains a positive approach towards potentially joining an economic or defence framework involving the three countries.
He said Bangladesh would assess any such move according to its national interests and the changing global economic and trade environment.
Kabir added that Dhaka continues to follow a balanced foreign policy under its “Bangladesh First” approach, keeping national interests at the centre of its decisions.
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Dhaka looks to strengthen Pakistan ties
The Bangladeshi adviser also highlighted efforts to expand practical relations with Pakistan through regular diplomatic engagement.
He said Bangladesh was focusing on areas including trade and people-to-people connectivity. Dhaka also intends to maintain engagement with regional partners, with Prime Minister Tariq Rehman expected to visit Saudi Arabia soon.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye sign defence agreement
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 amid heightened tensions across the Middle East.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit where the agreement was signed.
The pact aims to strengthen defence cooperation and promote collective security, peace and stability in the region.
Pact emerges amid regional tensions
The agreement came as regional tensions intensified following the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28. The conflict has affected several Gulf states and disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan later compared the pact’s mutual-defence principle with NATO’s Article 5. However, he stressed that the agreement does not target Iran or any other country.
Fidan also said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted the framework to expand. He identified Egypt as one possible future participant.
Pakistan says framework remains open
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on August 9 that the agreement remained open to countries willing to uphold its core principles.
Dar described the pact as defensive and clarified that it does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
He said the framework could accommodate countries committed to cooperation, mutual respect and peaceful dispute resolution.
Bangladesh weighs regional cooperation
Bangladesh’s latest position signals that Dhaka is examining the potential benefits of deeper cooperation with the three founding countries.
Any decision to join could expand the framework beyond its original membership and bring another South Asian country into an emerging regional security and economic cooperation arrangement.
