United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said Bangladesh is assessing the situation regarding the "Mecca Pact" involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan before deciding whether to join the alliance if invited. “We are assessing the situation regarding participation in the Mecca Pact. Bangladesh’s interests will be considered first before joining the alliance,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh has not yet received any formal invitation to join the pact. She said Bangladesh’s national interest would be the foremost consideration in taking any decision regarding participation in the pact. Bangladesh has viewed the pact positively and is interested in the initiative. Bangladesh could benefit from joining the “Mecca Pact” if it proceeds with effective diplomatic preparation and political consensus, said international relations expert Prof Shahab Enam Khan, stressing that Bangladesh needs to carefully assess the regional, diplomatic and strategic implications of joining the pact. “...if we do it with effective diplomatic preparation, with political consensus, it would definitely be good for Bangladesh,” said Prof Khan, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, at a discussion in the city on Monday. Speaking at a roundtable titled “Joining the Mecca Pact: Sustaining Bangladesh’s Options,” Prof Khan said Bangladesh faces its own security challenges in the Bay of Bengal and the wider region, including instability in neighboring countries and the situation in Myanmar. “I think it is good that we are having discussions about this and if Bangladesh can join the Mecca Pact, it would be good,” he said. On Sunday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh sees no risk in joining the Mecca Defence Pact and that it would not restrict Bangladesh’s engagement with other partners. “This is a unique pact, presenting new opportunities,” he told reporters after Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah called on him. He also said “Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh” while explaining Dhaka’s positive attitude towards the initiative. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, or the “Mecca Pact,” was officially signed on August 7, 2026, with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye being its partners so far.

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.