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● Dhaka weighing option to join Mecca Defense Pact: Shama ● BNP announces 5-day programme to mark 48th founding anniv ● BSTI orders immediate withdrawal of 10 substandard food products ● 7 more die with measles symptoms, toll hits 950 ● Muscat-stranded Biman flight finally heads for Chattogram ● 'No crime went unpunished in 6-month' ● Bangladesh could consider joining Makkah pact

Dhaka weighing option to join Mecca Defense Pact: Shama

Published : Thursday, 27 August, 2026 at 9:15 AM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

The government is considering whether Bangladesh will join the newly formed "Mecca Defense Pact" comprising Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs-2 Shama Obayed.

She revealed the government's stance during a recent interview with a private television channel.

The state minister said the government will thoroughly evaluate how joining the alliance aligns with the country's economy, sovereignty, and national interests before making a final decision.

She noted that nations across the globe are joining various international and regional alliances amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. Strategic groupings like SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Indo-Pacific framework, and BRICS are expanding worldwide.

On August 7, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the trilateral defense pact in the holy city of Makkah.

Modeled after NATO, the agreement stipulates that an attack on any member state will be treated as an assault on all three nations. Beyond military cooperation, the pact aims to secure joint financing, regional safety, and economic stability. It also leaves the door open for other interested nations to join.

Highlighting the potential risks and benefits for Bangladesh, Shama Obayed emphasized that any move will align strictly with the country's foreign policy and national priorities. The primary focus remains on evaluating positive economic impacts and potential employment creation.

She pointed out that Saudi Arabia hosts a vital historical labor market for Bangladesh, employing nearly 40 lakh expatriates. Meanwhile, diplomatic and trade discussions with Turkey have also gained significant momentum recently.

The Bangladesh government will announce its final decision on the Mecca Pact after a comprehensive review of all related factors.

-SA

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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