State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday expressed interest in the “Mecca Defence Pact” involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, saying Bangladesh’s participation in such a security initiative among Islamic nations would not be unusual. 

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on his first day as State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

“So, if something happens in the Middle East, like a security pact among Islamic nations, it isn't unusual to participate. Let's see. It's being viewed positively,” he said in response to a question.

The newly appointed State Minister said Bangladesh is now a country of recognition, with stakeholders in the Middle East and around the world showing interest in engaging with Dhaka.

“They are inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to come and participate,” he said, adding that Mecca has always held a special place for Bangladesh and its people.

“Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh and in the hearts of the people,” Humaiun said.

He said Bangladesh’s foreign policy has entered a new phase, with the government focusing on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations while enhancing the country’s global visibility and influence.

Humaiun said his new responsibility is a continuation of the work he had been doing as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs.

“It is not the first day of work as such. Work is about continuity,” he said, adding that the new assignment requires the government to “hit the ball… ground running.”

He said a strategic framework for Bangladesh’s foreign policy had been established over the past six months and that the government would now begin rolling out engagements based on that foundation.

Pact intended to enhance cooperation

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed a defence agreement under which an attack on one country would be treated as an attack on all three, according to statements issued by the three countries.

The agreement was signed in the Saudi holy city of Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement” brings together three Sunni Muslim-majority states: oil-rich Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan and Türkiye, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a rapidly growing defence industry.

The pact is intended to enhance cooperation and deterrence amid increased regional uncertainty and security threats linked to the war in Iran.

“The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” the statements said.

It also provides for “the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States”.

PM invited to visit KSA

Tarique’s visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, is likely to be finalised soon after the summer.

Mohammed bin Salman has invited Tarique to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter to Tarique during a recent meeting with him at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat.

In the letter, the Saudi Crown Prince expressed his country’s keenness to further strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh in areas of mutual interest, with a view to fulfilling the aspirations of the two countries and their brotherly peoples.

He said Saudi Arabia was pleased to invite the Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit the Kingdom to discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties and consult on regional and international issues.