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Bangladesh weighs joining Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan security pact
Bangladesh’s foreign minister said Dhaka is considering participation in the “Mecca pact” framework signed last month, while analysts warned it could test Dhaka’s strategic neutrality and force India to respond more cautiously.
Bangladesh is considering joining a Middle East defense and security pact involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, a move that could reshape how Dhaka engages India, according to statements reported by SCMP Economy.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament on August 27 that Bangladesh was weighing participation in the Mecca pact, described as a security framework signed last month, and earlier reporting indicated the invitation came from Riyadh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said it would not be unusual for Bangladesh to consider joining if there were a security arrangement among Islamic nations in the Middle East, adding that the idea was being viewed positively.
An analyst at the University of Dhaka, Shafi Md. Mostofa, said joining the pact would likely compel India to be more cautious and respectful in dealings with Bangladesh, highlighting concerns that the step could fracture Dhaka’s long-standing strategic neutrality and alarm New Delhi.