Dhaka, Bangladesh is open to joining the recently formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, two junior ministers have said, while stressing that any decision would be guided by the country’s national interests.
“Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade,” newly appointed state minister for foreign affairs Humayun Kobir said.
Earlier reporting noted: Officially called the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, the military pact was signed by the three countries on August 7. Earlier reporting noted: The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 7.
In an interview with the Bangla service of state-run BSS on Friday, Kobir said the government was pursuing a “Bangladesh First” policy and a balanced foreign policy with national interests at its core, which might lead Dhaka to join the defence pact. He said Bangladesh would also strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan through normal diplomatic engagement, focusing on trade and people-to-people connectivity. The two junior ministers’ comments came two days after Rahman’s finance and planning adviser Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said a “Bangladesh First” policy marked a “paradigm shift” in the country’s foreign policy. He said the policy placed national interest, sovereignty, mutual respect and regional harmony at the centre of Bangladesh’s engagement with the international community by maintaining constructive and mutually beneficial relations with all countries. “The Bangladesh First policy means putting Bangladesh’s interests first, but Bangladesh for all,” Titumir said. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said at the time that he wanted the pact to expand and become something like “an Islamic NATO”, and not remain an “exclusive club”, He had called on the Islamic nations to bury their differences and come together. Earlier reporting noted: The pact, according to media reports, has drawn attention in Dhaka as Bangladesh looks to strengthen its defence capabilities and secure key economic interests.
Kobir, appointed as the second state minister for foreign affairs on Friday, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Riyadh at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s invitation and the tour schedule is likely to be finalised after the summer.
