Bangladesh may join ‘Islamic NATO’ pact, raising fresh questions for India ties

Bangladesh is considering whether to join the Mecca Pact, a defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. The move could bring fresh strategic pressure on Dhaka’s ties with India and test its long-standing policy of balancing relations with competing global powers.

New Delhi: Bangladesh has indicated that it could consider joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan earlier this month. The possible move has drawn attention in New Delhi as India and Bangladesh are already dealing with strained political ties.

Bangladesh has not joined the pact yet. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said Dhaka is looking at the proposal positively. Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia has invited Bangladesh to join, citing a Bangladesh foreign ministry source. The pact was signed in Mecca on August 7 and follows a collective defence principle under which an armed........

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