Bangladesh signals openness to joining Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi Arabia defence pact

• PM’s aide Kobir says national interests remain at policy core.
• Adds Dhaka strengthens trade, people-to-people ties with Pakistan.
• Makkah pact commits three countries to mutual defence.

Bangladesh has indicated a willingness to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, Bangladeshi media reported.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards joining an economic or defence framework involving the three countries, while considering its own interests and changing global economic and trade dynamics.

The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, agreeing that an armed attack against any one of them would be considered an attack against all.

The agreement comes amid heightened regional tensions following the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28 and has drawn in several Gulf states while disrupting maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Kobir said the government was pursuing a balanced foreign policy under its “Bangladesh First” policy, with national interests at its core.

He said Bangladesh was strengthening its working bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of normal diplomatic engagement, with a focus on trade and bilateral people-to-people connectivity.

The joint defence agreement was signed at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, attended by Saudi Crown Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this month.

The pact provides for enhanced defence cooperation among the three signatories and reflects their commitment to strengthening collective security while promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.

A day after the agreement was signed, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the pact was technically similar to Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence arrangement but was not directed against Iran or any other country.

Fidan said the agreement served as a general pledge to support the security of the three allies and added that President Erdogan wanted the framework to expand, identifying Egypt as a potential candidate among other countries.

On August 9, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said the Makkah agreement remained open to countries willing to uphold its core principles.

Dar said the accord was defensive in nature and neither abrogated nor replaced any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving the three signatories.

He further said the framework was open to countries committed to cooperation, mutual respect and the peaceful resolution of differences.

Dar said the agreement was consistent with the fundamental pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to working with regional partners to advance peaceful conflict resolution and build a more secure and prosperous future.