Bangladesh has indicated that it is open to joining a defence or economic framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, according to Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, a close aide to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The development comes as Bangladesh seeks to pursue what its government describes as a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy, with national interests at the centre of its international engagements. Any move towards the emerging defence grouping could have implications for Dhaka’s ties with neighbouring India.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement earlier this month, committing to strengthen collective security and promote peace and stability in the region. The agreement is aimed at improving collective deterrence, with Pakistan saying that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all. The pact has prompted discussion about a possible new regional security arrangement involving countries with close political and strategic ties.

Kabir told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha that Dhaka maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving the three countries. He said Bangladesh would assess such an arrangement based on its own national interests and changing global economic and trade dynamics. Kabir also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was likely to be finalised after the summer.

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Bangladesh is also seeking to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of what Kabir described as normal diplomatic engagement. The focus, he said, would include trade and people-to-people connectivity. At the same time, Bangladesh and India have been working to reset their bilateral relationship, although differences surrounding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and political developments in Bangladesh have created strains between the two neighbours.

The possibility of Bangladesh joining the defence framework could carry wider strategic implications for India because of Pakistan’s involvement. Bangladesh occupies a strategically important position in the Bay of Bengal, while Pakistan and Türkiye have also expressed support for maritime defence cooperation. Saudi Arabia has separately indicated plans aimed at protecting regional shipping and energy routes, raising the possibility that a broader alliance could eventually have implications beyond traditional land-based security cooperation.

Some analysts have compared the Mecca pact to an “Islamic NATO” because of its collective-defence component, although the precise scope and future membership of the arrangement remain uncertain. A formal Bangladeshi association with the pact would represent a significant development in Dhaka’s regional strategy and could add pressure to India-Bangladesh relations. For now, Bangladesh’s position indicates interest rather than a confirmed decision to join, with Dhaka stressing that any such move would be guided by its national interests and evolving regional dynamics.

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