United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday told Parliament that there is no reason for other countries or communities to be concerned if the Saudi Arabia-Türkiye-Pakistan “Mecca Pact” is expanded, describing it as a mechanism for the self-defence of the global Muslim community and an internal matter among Muslim countries. “There is no reason for others to have any concern over it,” he said while replying to a supplementary question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana regarding the possible benefits for Bangladesh if it joins the pact. The foreign minister said Bangladesh’s possible participation in the arrangement is not an issue at this stage, as the matter will depend primarily on the intention of the countries currently involved in the pact. “If they express an intention to invite Bangladesh to join this pact, we will certainly have to consider the matter,” he said. Khalilur added that it will be premature to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Bangladesh joining the arrangement before any such invitation is made. “We will certainly keep all these matters under consideration,” he said. He said the pact was signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on August 7, 2026 while the three countries’ initiative is being viewed positively by Bangladesh. However, the foreign minister stressed that any decision regarding Bangladesh’s participation will depend on whether the existing members wish to invite Bangladesh to join. He also said if expanded, the pact should be understood in the context of collective self-defence among Muslim countries. Khalilur described it as an internal matter of the Muslim community, saying there should be no cause for concern among others over such an arrangement. Replying to another supplementary question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, he said Bangladesh will use its presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to serve all 193 member states rather than pursue the interests of any particular country. The foreign minister said the UNGA presidency is a position representing all members of the world body. “After winning the election, I had said I would work as the President of all countries,” he said. Citing an example with the Speaker’s role in Parliament, he said, “Just as you are the Speaker of all Members of Parliament, I will serve as the President of the General Assembly, which represents all UN member states.” Khalilur stressed that there is very little scope for the UNGA President to work for the interests of a particular country. “I request all of you to take this into consideration. Bangladesh will proudly discharge this responsibility for everyone,” he said. Recalling Bangladesh’s campaign for the UNGA presidency, the foreign minister said the achievement is particularly significant because of the short time available for preparation. He said when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated him for the position, he got only 10 weeks. “I told the Prime Minister that you have sent me on an impossible mission,” he said, recalling the Prime Ministers’ reply: “You will get it; together we will achieve it.” Khalilur credited the Prime Minister’s leadership and collective efforts with Bangladesh’s success and expressed his gratitude to Tarique Rahman. He said the presidency of the UNGA ultimately belongs to all 193 member states and Bangladesh will discharge the responsibility in a manner that reflects the interests of the wider international community.

Expressing optimism over strengthening the Dhaka-Delhi relations, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said there will be a visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the dates have not yet been finalised.    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already invited Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to pay a visit to India at a convenient time, an official told UNB, referring to Prime Minister Modi’s letter to his Bangladesh Prime Minister. “A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi said in his recent letter handed over to PM Tarique by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla who represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh. “There will be a visit. We have not yet done the dates. Of course, in the run-up to the visit, we will have activities,” Dr Khalilur told the Indian media during his visit to Mauritius.  Talking to World Is One News in Mauritius, the Foreign Minister said leaders of the two countries had not only exchanged letters but had also spoken.  He said both the leaders wanted to advance the relationship and it is a relationship that is consequential for both the countries. The Foreign Minister returned home on Saturday after visiting India and Mauritius, a senior official told UNB. “The visit and the meetings that I had (in India) were very productive. We talked about how to carry it forward. So, I am hopeful in this objective that we will be carrying forward our work in next few weeks and I feel reasonably optimistic,” Dr Khalilur said in Mauritius, adding that both the countries are willing to engage and talk to take the relationship forward.  External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi on April 08. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was also present at the meeting. The Indian External Affairs Minister reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral ties. The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date, said the Indian side, noting that both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Foreign Minister Rahman also met the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.