Bangladesh weighs joining Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact
Bangladesh is considering joining the Mecca pact, a new mutual defence alliance, a move that could test its balanced foreign policy.
Bangladesh has indicated it may consider joining the Mecca pact, a mutual defence agreement signed this month by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, in a move that could reshape its foreign relations.
Junior Foreign Minister Humayun Kabir said on Monday that Dhaka views the invitation positively. "If there is a security arrangement among Islamic nations in the Middle East, it is not unusual for us to consider participating," he told reporters, adding that the leadership, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been invited to take part.
A foreign ministry source confirmed that Saudi Arabia had extended the invitation, though the timing was not disclosed. The three Sunni-majority nations signed the pact in Mecca, pledging collective defence in line with NATO's principle that an attack on one is an attack on all.
A Delicate Balance
Analysts say formal membership would test Bangladesh's long-standing policy of avoiding alignment with rival geopolitical camps. The country's economy depends heavily on garment exports to Western markets and remittances from workers in the Middle East, making stable ties with a wide range of partners essential.
Geopolitical analyst Kollol Kibria warned that joining a military bloc would make it harder for Bangladesh to avoid questions about which side it is on. "These relationships would not automatically break, but once Bangladesh joins a military bloc, the question of which side Bangladesh is on becomes much harder to avoid," he said.
Strained Ties with India
The invitation arrives at a sensitive time in Bangladesh-India relations. Dhaka has sought the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since her ouster in August 2024. The two neighbours have also traded accusations over border incidents.
India's foreign ministry said it was closely following developments in West Asia. Analysts believe New Delhi would be unlikely to welcome Bangladesh joining an alliance that includes its arch-rival Pakistan.
Asif Shahan, a development studies professor at Dhaka University, said the perception of alignment could create risks for Bangladesh's export-driven economy. "If Bangladesh joins this alliance, several countries, including India, will not be pleased," he said. "However, that should not be the basis of Bangladesh's decision."