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Bangladesh Could Consider Joining Mecca Pact, in Test for Foreign Ties
State Minister Humayun Kobir said Dhaka views the Saudi-led pact positively as it seeks broader strategic ties and balances relations with India.
- On Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kobir announced Bangladesh's interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a mutual security pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan.
- Signed at Al-Safa palace in Makkah, the agreement functions like NATO, pledging collective defense among the three Sunni Muslim-majority nations; Bangladesh is a secular republic where more than 90% of the population identifies as Sunni Muslim.
- Under the "Bangladesh First" approach, Kobir emphasized that Bangladesh is pursuing a balanced foreign policy with national interests at its core, as partners in the Muslim world have invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to participate.
- Geopolitical analyst Kollol Kibria warned that joining a military bloc could complicate ties with India, China, and the United States, stating, "Once Bangladesh joins a military bloc, the question of which side Bangladesh is on becomes much harder to avoid."
- Prime Minister Rahman's visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected soon, though the potential alliance membership poses risks to Bangladesh's export-driven economy reliant on global commercial ties.
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Bangladesh could consider joining Mecca pact, in test for foreign ties
By Ruma Paul DHAKA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Bangladesh could consider joining the Mecca pact, a mutual defence agreement signed this month between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, a minister said, a move that could complicate its foreign relations, partic...
Bangladesh interested in joining Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, top diplomat says
Bangladesh is now a 'country of recognition' and its partners in the Muslim world are inviting its leadership 'to be with them in many places', the country's state minister for foreign affairs says.
·Istanbul, Türkiye
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Total News Sources25
Leaning Left2Leaning Right6Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Right
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Right
46% Right
15%
C 39%
R 46%
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