As Bangladesh explores the possibility of joining the newly signed military agreement among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Dhaka has stated that there would be no risk in joining the Mecca Pact.
The latest statement from state minister for foreign affairs Humaiun Kobir says that joining the Mecca Pact would not restrict Dhaka’s engagement with other partner nations. “This is a unique pact that presents new opportunities,” Kobir told reporters at the foreign ministry after Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah called on him.
“A country like Bangladesh must approach foreign policy and security cooperation in a highly integrated and flexible manner, aligned with the dynamics of the current international political system,” he said, adding that the country is working towards balancing its international relations. Kobir’s remarks come days after Bangladesh’s foreign minister Khalilur Rahman told Parliament that Dhaka would “positively consider” joining the Mecca defence pact, if invited. The minister added that the pact and joining it was “an internal matter of “our Muslim family and there is no scope for others to be concerned about it. “Bangladesh will never bow its head to anyone again — we have buried the subservient foreign policy,” he added. “The matter of joining or participating in this pact has not arisen yet, because it depends on the intention of those who are members of this pact,” Rahman further told Parliament. Pakistan will be represented at the meeting by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and the Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, according to a statement from the Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs. Earlier reporting noted: State minister for foreign affairs Humaiun Kobir said Dhaka was holding discussions on the issue and that the talks were “progressing positively” with its bilateral partners. He said Bangladesh would pursue a flexible foreign policy while balancing its international relationships. Earlier reporting noted: India has said it is closely monitoring developments related to the pact and will take necessary steps to safeguard its security interests.
Earlier reporting noted: Bangladesh on Sunday said it sees no risk in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, arguing that participation in the pact would not limit its engagement with other international partners, news agency PTI reported.
