Bangladesh’s decision on whether to join the “Mecca Defence Pact” is entirely its own matter and should be based on the country’s needs and interests, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Thursday.

“Joining the Mecca Pact is entirely Bangladesh’s own matter. If Bangladesh takes any decision based on the needs and interests of the country and its people, there is no need for anyone else to suffer from shortness of breath,” he wrote on his official Facebook page.

His remarks came amid discussions over Bangladesh’s possible participation in the defence arrangement involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday that Bangladesh was interested in the initiative, saying participation in a security pact among Islamic nations would not be unusual.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed earlier this month by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, provides for enhanced defence cooperation and collective deterrence, with an armed attack on any one of the three countries to be treated as an attack on all.

Bangladesh’s possible participation has drawn concern from some analysts and sections of Indian media over its potential regional and strategic implications.

No formal decision on Bangladesh joining the pact has been announced by the government so far.