18 days ago a defense agreement was signed in Mecca between Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan. In this, like NATO, there is an agreement that an attack on any one of the three countries will be considered an attack on all. Now there is speculation about the involvement of some more Islamic countries in this. the biggest of these
.
Will Bangladesh really join ‘Islamic NATO’, how big a threat will it pose to India and how will the government counter it? We will learn in today’s explainer…
Question-1: Why was the discussion of Bangladesh’s participation in the Mecca Agreement raised?
Answer: No formal announcement has been made, but the discussion started with the statements made by two ministers of Bangladesh…
- Humayun Kabir, advisor on foreign affairs to Bangladesh PM Tariq Rahman, became the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh on 21 August. The same day he said, ‘Bangladesh’s attitude towards joining the framework of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey is positive. Bangladesh will take this decision keeping its interests in mind.
- On August 21, the second Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaid, also said, ‘Our joining any pact will be decided by whether it will safeguard the interests of Bangladesh or not.
- Humayun Kabir said, ‘Bangladesh now has its own identity. The Middle East and its stakeholders are inviting the leadership of Islamic countries Bangladesh to join the Mecca Pact.
- Humayun Kabir also told that PM Tariq Rehman has been invited by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit the capital Riyadh.
Question-2: So will Bangladesh join the Mecca Pact or not?
answer: Senior defense journalist Manoj Joshi says, ‘If this is a pact between Sunni countries, then Bangladesh can also join it. If its objective is regional security of the Middle East, then Bangladesh has no special importance in it.
Strategic analyst Brahma Chellani also says, ‘This pact can become an alliance of 4 Sunni countries. The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP, has deep ties with Islamic forces. Rahman’s foreign policy seems to be moving towards the same old strategy of his party.
Actually, there is currently a BNP government in Bangladesh, which is known for its staunch Sunni Islamic stance. This fanatic attitude has been increasing for some time now, there are some indications of this…
- Giving a statement about the agreement, Humayun Kabir said that Mecca is in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh.
- Bangladesh’s current army chief General Walker-uz-Zaman has grown a beard after returning from Haj in May 2026. He gives Islamic message.
- Wakar-uz-Zaman has named four army units after the four Caliphs of Islam.
By joining the pact, Bangladesh can get foreign employment, investment and oil from Saudi Arabia. Defense technology, weapons and training can be obtained from Turkey. Pakistan can provide political support on Islamic platforms.
However, former Bangladeshi diplomat M Shahidul Islam writes, ‘Bangladesh should not take its decisions to please others. The costs of the maize pact are high, but the benefits are unclear. Other countries included in the agreement can also put pressure on a small country like Bangladesh. Bangladesh will have to ask whether it will have the freedom to stay away from the India-Pakistan or Iran-Saudi conflict.
Question-3: If Bangladesh joins the Mecca Pact, what is the threat to India?
answer: There are two big dangers…
1. India’s influence in South Asia, impact on security and economic relations.
- Brahma Chellani says, ‘With Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Pact, the entire security-related infrastructure in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Mediterranean Sea areas will change. India’s diplomatic and economic relations with Bangladesh will also change.
- India’s siege may increase, because Tariq Rehman is also increasing relations with China. During his visit to China in June, he called China ‘the most valuable and trustworthy partner’.
- Turkey also wants to increase its influence over India from Europe, Middle East to South Asia. Turkey acts as a land bridge between Asia and Europe.
- India has economic relations with most Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia is among the top-5 trade partners of India. Now these business relationships may be affected.
In the year 2024-25, there was a trade of $ 41.88 billion between India and Saudi Arabia. The picture is of PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2025.
2. If there is a war with Pakistan, the problem will increase
- If Bangladesh joins, Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey will get a strong hold in South Asia. Their reach will reach the east of India.
- During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, Turkey provided military assistance to Pakistan – especially advanced drones – and also made statements in support of Pakistan.
- According to Brahma Chellani, ‘If there is any future war due to the pact, it will be difficult for India to take retaliatory action. If India takes any action against Pakistan, then Pakistan can implement this pact against India.
- ‘Saudi money, Turkish defense technology, strategic position of Pakistan and Bangladesh create all-round infrastructure. This will also help them in defense research and sharing intelligence information.
Pakistan can also use Bangladeshi military bases in conflict with India. Saudi money and Turkish technology can also be used against India.
Question-4: How will India counter this?
answer: There seems to be an intention to encircle India, but it is not possible to oppose an economic power like India for a long time. India can make three types of preparations…
1. Improving relations with countries like Saudi, Turkey
- Former Indian Ambassador Anil Trigunayat says, ‘We have to emphasize on outreach to other countries. Our relations with Saudi are very good and we can build good relations with Turkey also.
- India is expanding partnerships with Greece and Cyprus, with whom Turkey has a long-standing dispute.
- Dr. Rajan Kumar says, ‘India has good relations with Muslims. India would like that its close countries like Indonesia and Malaysia should not join this pact. One should try for this.
2. Strengthening the Navy on important sea routes
- Saudi-Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh are present on important sea routes.
- Like Hormuz, Bosphorus and Dardanelles are two straits, they are called Turkish Straits. This is the only route from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey has control over them.
- Saudi Arabia, situated on the banks of the Red Sea, is near the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait. About 10% of the world’s maritime trade passes through this strait. Saudi also has a coast in the Persian Gulf.
- At the same time, about a thousand km long coastline of Pakistan meets the Arabian Sea. Gwadar and Karachi ports are important maritime trade spots of Pakistan. Whereas the Bay of Bengal is present on the eastern coast of India.
- Brahma Chellani says, ‘To counter this strong marine position of these countries, work will have to be done on increasing the navy in the Indian Ocean.’
3. The purpose of Mecca Pact is not clear, India should keep a close watch
- Manoj Joshi says, ‘The real goal of the Mecca Pact is not clear. Is its target Iran or America? Bangladesh itself is surrounded by India on 3 sides. Therefore, for now, it is better for India to just keep an eye on the situation.
- On the question of Bangladesh, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said, ‘We are keeping a close eye on the developments in West Asia. That’s all I will say for now.
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