Bangladesh expresses interest in joining Mecca defence pact

Bangladesh has expressed interest in potentially joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey on August 7. The country's newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, stated that the government views the possibility "very positively," marking the first time a sitting Bangladeshi official has formally signaled such interest. Kabir, speaking to local media on August 24, emphasized that no formal proposal has been made, but Dhaka is exploring closer strategic ties with Muslim-majority nations. "If there is a security pact among Islamic nations, it's not unnatural for us to be a part of it. Let's see.