New Delhi: Bangladesh is considering joining a regional economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, a senior aide to Prime
Minister Tarique Rahman has said, signalling a possible change in Dhaka’s approach to regional alliances.
Humayun Kabir, Rahman’s foreign affairs adviser, told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that the government was pursuing a “Bangladesh First” policy, with national interests at the centre of its foreign policy.
“The government is following a ‘Bangladesh First’ policy. The government was pursuing a balanced foreign policy in the international arena, with national interests at its core,” Kabir said.
Dhaka signals interest in Mecca Pact
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca earlier this month. The pact was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agreement includes a commitment to strengthen collective security and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond. Pakistan’s foreign ministry has said an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all.
Kabir said Bangladesh had a positive approach towards joining a similar framework. “Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade,” he told BSS.
Possible impact on India-Bangladesh ties
The development could draw attention in New Delhi, particularly as India’s ties with Bangladesh have faced recent strains. At the same time both sides have been working towards improving bilateral relations.
Kabir also said Rahman’s visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince was likely to be finalised soon after the summer. He added that Bangladesh was strengthening its bilateral engagement with Pakistan through trade and people-to-people connectivity.
The Mecca agreement has been described by some analysts as an “Islamic NATO”. Pakistan and Türkiye have also backed discussions around maritime defence cooperation, while Saudi Arabia has announced plans to protect regional shipping and energy routes.
If Bangladesh eventually joins the framework, it could have implications beyond defence including in the maritime domain. For India, closer defence ties between Dhaka, Islamabad and Ankara could add another layer of complexity to its neighbourhood policy particularly given Pakistan’s past attempts to establish networks in Bangladesh that New Delhi has linked to security concerns.
