Bangladesh Considers Participation in Makkah Joint Defence Framework

Bangladesh is considering the possibility of participating in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed recently by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, with officials indicating that any decision will be guided primarily by Bangladesh’s national interests and the changing global economic and strategic environment.

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on August 7, agreeing to strengthen defence cooperation, collective security and regional stability. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The joint statement said the framework is aimed at strengthening collective deterrence and contributing to peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said Dhaka could positively consider participation in an economic or defence cooperation framework involving the three countries. However, he stressed that Bangladesh’s national interests and the changing global economic and trade environment would remain central to any decision.

Kabir also said Bangladesh is pursuing a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy, with national interests at its core. Dhaka is also working to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan through trade, connectivity and people-to-people relations.

Türkiye has indicated that the framework could potentially be expanded in the future. Turkish officials have also described the agreement as defensive in nature and said it is not directed against any particular country.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has similarly described the agreement as a defensive arrangement rather than an instrument directed against any specific country. He said the framework is consistent with peaceful dispute resolution and international law.

The agreement is expected to facilitate greater cooperation in defence and security, including political and military coordination, joint exercises and defence-industry cooperation.

For Bangladesh, the possibility of joining such a framework could have implications beyond defence cooperation, including economic interests, trade relations, regional security and broader diplomatic engagement. Dhaka has traditionally maintained relations with a wide range of international partners while seeking to protect its national interests.

Experts say any decision on participation would need to take into account Bangladesh’s security requirements, economic interests, international trade relations and long-term strategic priorities.

For now, the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement presents Bangladesh with a potential new avenue for strategic cooperation, but no final decision has been announced on whether Bangladesh will formally join the framework.