Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday told Parliament that there is no reason for other countries or communities to be concerned if the Saudi Arabia-Türkiye-Pakistan “Mecca Pact” is expanded, describing it as a mechanism for the self-defence of the global Muslim community and an internal matter among Muslim countries.

“There is no reason for others to have any concern over it,” he said while replying to a supplementary question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana regarding the possible benefits for Bangladesh if it joins the pact.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh’s possible participation in the arrangement is not an issue at this stage, as the matter will depend primarily on the intention of the countries currently involved in the pact.

“If they express an intention to invite Bangladesh to join this pact, we will certainly have to consider the matter,” he said.

Khalilur added that it will be premature to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Bangladesh joining the arrangement before any such invitation is made. “We will certainly keep all these matters under consideration,” he said.

He said the pact was signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on August 7, 2026 while the three countries’ initiative is being viewed positively by Bangladesh.

However, the foreign minister stressed that any decision regarding Bangladesh’s participation will depend on whether the existing members wish to invite Bangladesh to join.

He also said if expanded, the pact should be understood in the context of collective self-defence among Muslim countries.

Khalilur described it as an internal matter of the Muslim community, saying there should be no cause for concern among others over such an arrangement.

Replying to another supplementary question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, he said Bangladesh will use its presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to serve all 193 member states rather than pursue the interests of any particular country.

The foreign minister said the UNGA presidency is a position representing all members of the world body. “After winning the election, I had said I would work as the President of all countries,” he said.

Citing an example with the Speaker’s role in Parliament, he said, “Just as you are the Speaker of all Members of Parliament, I will serve as the President of the General Assembly, which represents all UN member states.”

Khalilur stressed that there is very little scope for the UNGA President to work for the interests of a particular country.

“I request all of you to take this into consideration. Bangladesh will proudly discharge this responsibility for everyone,” he said.

Recalling Bangladesh’s campaign for the UNGA presidency, the foreign minister said the achievement is particularly significant because of the short time available for preparation.

He said when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated him for the position, he got only 10 weeks. “I told the Prime Minister that you have sent me on an impossible mission,” he said, recalling the Prime Ministers’ reply: “You will get it; together we will achieve it.”

Khalilur credited the Prime Minister’s leadership and collective efforts with Bangladesh’s success and expressed his gratitude to Tarique Rahman.

He said the presidency of the UNGA ultimately belongs to all 193 member states and Bangladesh will discharge the responsibility in a manner that reflects the interests of the wider international community.

Won’t bow to foreign pressure again

During the question and answer session, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh has buried the submissive foreign policy of the past and will never bow to any country again.

Responding to a supplementary question from Naogaon-3 lawmaker Md Fazley Houda during the question-answer session in Parliament, the minister outlined the government’s foreign policy.

“Thanks to the strong and successful foreign policy pursued by our honourable Prime Minister, we are now standing tall with our heads held high,” he said.

“Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, we will continue to pursue this foreign policy, and Bangladesh will never again bow its head before anyone. We have buried the submissive foreign policy,” Khalilur said.

Referring to the previous Awami League regime, he said Bangladesh’s foreign policy had, to a large extent, not remained under its own control during the 15 years of what he described as misrule.

The minister said the government is now preparing Key Performance Indicators for every Bangladeshi mission abroad and will evaluate their performance accordingly.

“We will place all the relevant information before Parliament when we present the next budget. You have the right to know this information,” he said.

Ganges Treaty

Replying to another supplementary question from Bagerhat-4 lawmaker Abdul Aleem, Khalilur said Bangladesh remains active in pursuing its fair share of water from common rivers.

He said a team has been formed to prepare a new agreement following the expiry of the Ganges Water-sharing Treaty, and the Indian authorities have been informed accordingly. “We are now waiting for their response,” he said.

Teesta project

The minister said Bangladesh has started a technical evaluation with China regarding the Teesta project, adding that further steps will be taken based on the outcome of the assessment.

The third session of the current Parliament began at 3:00pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair.

The first hour of the day’s proceedings was devoted to the question-answer session.