Bangladesh Weighs Joining Mecca Defense Pact: Experts Caution Against Hasty Decision

Discussions have intensified in Bangladesh about the proposed Mecca Defense Pact with Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Security experts and former diplomats of the country say that the government should not take a hasty decision to join this agreement. They believe that it is important to understand its advantages and potential disadvantages well before membership. A conference was held on this issue on Monday (31 August 2026) in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar. It was organized by Voice for Reform. The program was attended by security experts, political analysts, former diplomats, and professors of universities. Chairman of the Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies (FSDS) and retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar said that joining the Mecca Defense Pact can give Bangladesh an opportunity to strengthen its defense capability. According to him, being part of this agreement, Bangladesh can improve the supply of defense equipment. Apart from this, the country can increase its military capability and work with other member countries to jointly develop and jointly train military capabilities. He also stated that these advantages can be made clear.