Bangladesh interested in joining Makkah Defense pact: official

Bangladesh has expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, a top diplomat said on Monday. "We have expressed our interest in the Makkah Defence pact … Bangladesh is now a country of recognition. The partners in West Asia (Middle East), the partners in the Muslim world around the globe are now inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, especially the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to be with them in many places," said Humayun Kobir, who was appointed as state minister for foreign affairs last week. "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," said Kabir, who earlier served as an advisor to Rahman. Humayun's comments come three days after he had initially signalled Bangladesh's willingness to join the pact on Saturday, as Dhaka seeks to expand its strategic partnerships while keeping national interests at the centre of its foreign policy, it emerged on Saturday, according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Read: Bangladesh shows willingness to joining Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi defence pact "Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade," Kobir said. He added that Bangladesh was pursuing a balanced foreign policy under its “Bangladesh First” approach in the international arena, with national interests at its core. “Bangladesh is strengthening its working bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of normal diplomatic engagement, with a focus on trade and bilateral people-to-people connectivity,” he said. Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, was likely to be finalised soon after the summer. Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia signed the joint defence agreement at a trilateral summit at Al-Safa palace in Makkah on August 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.