Kobir says joining Mecca Pact poses no risk to Dhaka

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Sunday that Bangladesh would face no risk by joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and that such participation would not hinder Dhaka from maintaining or expanding relations with other international partners.

“This is a unique pact that presents new opportunities,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry following a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah.

Kobir said Bangladesh viewed the proposed agreement positively and was holding discussions with its bilateral partners, with the consultations progressing well.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed on 7 August 2026, initially bringing Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey under the arrangement.

Responding to questions about possible risks to Bangladesh, Kobir said Dhaka would follow an integrated and flexible foreign and security policy while maintaining balanced relations with its international partners.

“A country like Bangladesh must approach foreign policy and security cooperation in a highly integrated and flexible manner, aligned with the dynamics of the current international political system,” he said.

He stressed that cooperation under one security framework would not limit Bangladesh’s foreign policy options or prevent it from engaging with other alliances and partners in an increasingly volatile global environment.

“Participation in one specific area of cooperation does not mean you cannot contribute to other alliances or fields. It does not restrict your scope,” he said.

Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to international peace and stability, Kobir said Dhaka would continue contributing wherever its experience and expertise could support those objectives.

“Bangladesh stands for global peace and stability, and wherever peace and stability are the primary goals, Bangladesh will always be present,” he said.

Kobir recently held a series of bilateral meetings, including discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and other senior officials, during his visit to Jeddah to attend the OIC’s 23rd Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).

Asked whether the proposed defence pact came up during those meetings, Kobir confirmed that it had, saying the response from his Saudi counterparts was “positive, very positive”.

He said Bangladesh had not yet received a formal invitation to join the agreement.

“(But) When a formal invitation is extended, we will certainly inform you,” he said.

Earlier, during his meeting with the Saudi ambassador, Kobir called for more frequent and high-level exchanges between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, saying sustained engagement would help strengthen bilateral relations and build on the progress achieved in recent years.

Both the state minister and the Saudi envoy expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between the two countries across various sectors, according to a foreign ministry press release.