Bangladesh is positively considering the possibility of joining the Mecca Joint Defense Pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, but any decision on participation will be based on a comprehensive assessment of national interests, the evolving global economy and trade environment, and broader regional developments, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir has said.
In an interview with the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Kabir said the global economic and trade landscape is changing rapidly, while new regional and international cooperation frameworks are also emerging. Bangladesh will assess the potential benefits and implications of joining the Mecca Joint Defense Pact in light of these developments, he said.
The state minister emphasized that national interest would remain the central consideration in Bangladesh’s decision to participate in any international initiative. He said Dhaka is pursuing a balanced foreign policy based on a “Bangladesh First” approach.
Accordingly, any decision to establish ties with a new alliance or cooperative framework will take into account not only Bangladesh’s national interests but also regional dynamics and shifts in the global economic environment.
Kabir said Bangladesh’s potential involvement in the Mecca Joint Defense Pact would not be viewed solely through the lens of defense cooperation. Instead, the government would assess the initiative within the broader context of current geopolitical, economic and regional realities before determining its next steps.
He also said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have been making positive progress. Communication between the two countries is gradually expanding, with both sides focusing on maintaining normal diplomatic engagement while increasing trade and strengthening people-to-people ties.
The state minister also indicated that Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations could enter a new phase. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Saudi Arabia soon, a trip that could play an important role in further deepening the existing relationship between the two countries.
Bangladesh’s future diplomatic and cooperative initiatives will therefore be shaped by its relations with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye as well as the broader regional environment.
The government’s position remains that national interest will be the fundamental basis for Bangladesh’s involvement in any international alliance or cooperation framework.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)