Bangladesh has signalled a willingness to explore the possibility of joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a security framework signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye earlier this month.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir told the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that Dhaka maintained a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving the three countries.
Kabir stressed, however, that Bangladesh would consider any such move in light of its own national interests and changing global economic and trade conditions. He said the government was following a “Bangladesh First” policy, with national interests at the centre of its foreign policy.
The comments indicate that Dhaka is keeping the possibility open, rather than announcing a decision to formally join the agreement.
What is the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement?
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, during a summit in Makkah attended by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three. The pact also calls for stronger defence cooperation and collective deterrence.
Pakistan has described the agreement as purely defensive and said it is not directed against any particular country. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also said the framework remains open to other countries in the region that are willing to uphold its principles and resolve disputes through peaceful means.
The agreement therefore provides a potential framework for wider regional security cooperation, although its practical military commitments and future membership will depend on subsequent decisions by the participating countries.
Bangladesh strengthening ties with Pakistan
Kabir also said Bangladesh was working to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of normal diplomatic engagement.
According to the adviser, Dhaka is focusing particularly on trade and people-to-people connectivity as it seeks to expand cooperation with Islamabad.
Pakistan Says Makkah Defence Pact Open to Countries Supporting Its Principles
The development comes amid efforts by Bangladesh to broaden its diplomatic and economic relationships while maintaining a balanced foreign policy. Dhaka’s approach suggests that closer engagement with Pakistan does not necessarily mean abandoning its wider relationships with other regional and international partners.
Bangladesh has also been developing closer security cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, Kabir said Dhaka had joined a Saudi-led maritime defence alliance aimed at addressing security challenges linked to Houthi activities.
Pact emerges amid regional tensions
The Makkah agreement was signed at a time of heightened security tensions in the Middle East and concerns over regional stability.
The three signatories have emphasized that the agreement is intended to strengthen collective security and promote peace and stability rather than create an offensive military bloc. Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan already have longstanding defence and strategic relationships, providing a foundation for the new framework.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has previously indicated that the framework could potentially expand, while Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar has explicitly said it remains open to other regional countries.
Bangladesh yet to make a final decision
Despite Dhaka’s positive comments, there has been no announcement that Bangladesh has formally decided to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Kabir’s remarks instead suggest that the government is considering the possibility while assessing Bangladesh’s national interests and the changing international environment.
If Dhaka eventually joins, it would broaden the framework beyond its original three members and could strengthen defence and strategic links between Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
For now, however, Bangladesh’s position remains one of openness and consideration rather than formal membership. The next step will depend on how Dhaka evaluates the agreement’s security, economic and diplomatic implications.
