Bangladesh to 'positively' consider joining Makkah pact if invited

Bangladesh is open to joining the Makkah Pact, a joint defense agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, if formally invited by the founding members. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman informed parliament on Thursday that Dhaka would "positively" consider such an invitation, assuring that the country would carefully assess the potential benefits before making any decision.

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Joining the pact or not has not come yet, as it is subjected to the intention of the parties involved in the pact. If they invite Bangladesh to join, then we will definitely consider it positively.

Rahman described the Makkah Pact as a crucial "self-defence mechanism" for the Muslim world. He stressed that the pact is an internal matter for the "Muslim family" and should not be a cause for concern for other nations. This stance suggests Bangladesh views the agreement as a regional security initiative among Islamic countries.

Separately, Shafiqur Rahman, the opposition leader and chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami, stated that any decision to join the pact would be Bangladesh's "own decision." He added that if the country makes a choice that serves its interests and needs, external parties have no reason to worry.

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More importantly, we have to keep in mind that it [the Makkah Pact] is the Muslim world’s self-defence mechanism. And this is our family’s, the Muslim family’s, internal matter. So, there is nothing for others to be concerned about.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, had indicated Dhaka's interest in joining the pact, noting that participation in security agreements among Islamic countries in West Asia was not unusual. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, aims to enhance collective security, deepen defense cooperation, and foster peace and stability in the region and beyond. It operates on the principle that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all.

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If Bangladesh takes a decision in the interests and needs of the country and nation, no one else needs to worry about it.

The pact has already garnered support from the United States, Bahrain, and Somalia, with Turkey anticipating Egypt's eventual membership. This growing coalition signals a concerted effort by several nations to bolster their collective security and regional stability.

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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.