Bangladesh seeks role in Makkah defence agreement

Bangladesh has expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye earlier this month.

DHAKA: Bangladesh has expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye earlier this month.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said on Monday that Dhaka had conveyed its interest in becoming part of the defence arrangement.

Kabir said Bangladesh’s growing diplomatic engagement with countries in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world had created opportunities for deeper cooperation in security and other areas.

He said Bangladesh’s participation in a security agreement involving Muslim-majority countries would not be unusual, adding that the possibility was being viewed positively.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on August 7, 2026, during a trilateral summit in Makkah.

The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Al-Safa Palace.

The three countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and security and work together to support regional peace and stability.

The agreement is aimed at deepening strategic and defence ties among the three participating countries while strengthening coordination on security matters.

Bangladesh’s expression of interest could potentially broaden the framework’s participation if the existing members agree to its inclusion.

Kabir said Dhaka was assessing the matter and indicated that Bangladesh was open to closer engagement with partners across the Muslim world.

The development comes as Bangladesh seeks to expand its diplomatic and strategic relationships with countries in West Asia and beyond.