Bangladesh Weighs Joining ‘Islamic NATO’ Mecca Pact With Pakistan, Saudi Arabia And Turkey

Bangladesh is considering whether to join a new defence arrangement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, as Dhaka seeks to widen its strategic partnerships amid strained ties with India and a foreign policy centred on its “Bangladesh First” approach.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by the three countries on August 7, includes a collective defence clause under which an armed attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all. Pakistan has described the pact as a possible “Islamic NATO”, while Bangladesh is evaluating whether closer engagement could serve its defence, remittance, energy and investment interests. Any decision, however, would also have to take into account domestic sensitivities over Pakistan and Bangladesh’s relations with India and China.

According to Hindustan Times, Bangladeshi officials have maintained that Dhaka’s interest in evaluating the agreement is based on national interest and a desire to diversify its ties amid regional uncertainty and a period of domestic political transition. Bangladesh has not formally announced a decision to join the pact.

What is the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement?

The agreement was signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 7.

Its key provision is a collective defence commitment: an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all three. The provision is similar to Article 5 of the NATO charter and is the basis for the agreement being described as an “Islamic NATO”.

The pact also provides for greater cooperation in defence production, technology transfer and joint military exercises.

Pakistan’s deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also oversees the foreign ministry, described the agreement as “purely defensive" and said it remains open to other countries in the region.

Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said after the pact was signed that he wanted it to expand into something like “an Islamic NATO”, rather than remain an “exclusive club”. He also called on Islamic nations to bury their differences and come together.

The agreement came amid heightened regional tensions and concerns over Iran’s military posture, which has affected Saudi Arabia following the US-Israel war on Tehran.

Why is Dhaka considering it?

Bangladesh has historically maintained close ties with India while also seeking to balance its relations with China. In recent years, however, relations with New Delhi have faced strains over issues including borders and water-sharing.

The relationship has also been strained by the issue of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since her ouster in August 2024 following a student-led uprising. Bangladesh has sought her extradition.

Hasina’s Awami League, which has been viewed as closer to India, remains banned in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) came to power earlier this year, with Tarique Rahman becoming prime minister. Since taking office, Rahman has advocated a “Bangladesh First” policy, while ties with India have remained somewhat cold.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said in mid-August that Dhaka had a “positive approach" towards a possible economic or defence framework involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, guided by its “Bangladesh First" policy, according to a Reuters report.

A close aide to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha that Bangladesh was keen on joining a formation like the Mecca Pact.

What could the pact offer Bangladesh?

Saudi Arabia’s importance as a source of remittances is one factor behind Dhaka’s interest.

Saudi Arabia was Bangladesh’s biggest remittance source in the 2025-26 financial year, contributing about $5.28 billion in the first 11 months. That was roughly 16 per cent of Bangladesh’s total remittance inflows.

Closer ties with Riyadh could therefore help Bangladesh protect an important source of remittances and could also create opportunities for Saudi investment.

Defence cooperation is another consideration. Turkey and Pakistan are already important suppliers of military equipment to Bangladesh. Turkey provides drones, frigates and armoured vehicles, while Pakistan supplies fighter jets such as the JF-17 Thunder and naval vessels.

Closer cooperation under the Mecca framework could open opportunities for technology transfer, joint production, military training and access to defence equipment.

For Dhaka, the arrangement could therefore complement its existing defence relationships with Turkey and Pakistan while providing scope for further cooperation.

Energy security is another issue. Bangladesh depends heavily on imports for its energy needs and relies on shipping routes through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for supplies from West Asia.

A security framework involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan could potentially help protect oil and LNG shipments, support more stable energy prices and safeguard important shipping routes.

Those routes are also used by Bangladesh’s garment exports to Europe, making their stability important for both energy supplies and trade.

Hindustan Times reported that the pact has drawn attention in Dhaka as Bangladesh considers ways to strengthen its defence capabilities while securing important economic interests.

What are the challenges?

A closer defence relationship with Pakistan could face opposition within Bangladesh. Memories of the 1971 war of independence remain strong among sections of society, and the government could face backlash from secular forces over any formal security arrangement with Islamabad.

Dhaka would also have to balance its relations with India and China. Bangladesh has long maintained ties with both countries, and closer defence cooperation with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey could complicate that balancing exercise.

There is also uncertainty over how the Mecca agreement would operate in practice. The pact’s exact operational mechanisms and the criteria for admitting additional members remain unclear.

That leaves questions over what obligations Bangladesh would assume if it eventually joined and how an expanded arrangement would function.

For now, Bangladesh has not formally announced a decision to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. Its interest reflects a calculation involving defence cooperation, Saudi remittances and investment, energy security and trade routes, alongside the domestic sensitivities surrounding Pakistan and the need to manage relations with India and China.

For now, Bangladesh has not formally announced a decision to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. Its interest reflects a calculation involving defence cooperation, Saudi remittances and investment, energy security and trade routes, alongside the domestic sensitivities surrounding Pakistan and the need to manage relations with India and China.

(With inputs from Reuters)