'The matter is being viewed positively': Official says Bangladesh interested in joining Makkah defence pact

Bangladesh has expressed interest in participating in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, a top diplomat said Monday.

“We have expressed our interest in the Makkah Defence pact […] Bangladesh is now a country of recognition. The partners in West Asia (Middle East), the partners in the Muslim world around the globe are now inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, especially the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to be with them in many places,” said Humayun Kabir, who was appointed as state minister for foreign affairs last week.

“If there is one [agreement] in West Asia, if there is a security agreement between Islamic countries, then it is not unusual to go there. Let’s see. The matter is being viewed positively,” said Kabir, who previously served as an adviser to Rahman.

Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia signed the joint defence agreement at a trilateral summit in Makkah on August 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the summit held at Al-Safa Palace.