--- title: "Bangladesh to consider joining Makkah pact if invited, says foreign minister" description: "Most outlets led with the statement by Bangladesh’s foreign minister that the country would “positively consider” joining the Makkah Pact if formally invited by founding members. Dawn and The Express Tribune both included Rahman’s description of the pact as a “self-defence mechanism” for the Muslim world, while Minute Mirror focused more narrowly on the conditional openness to joining the defence agreement. All three framed the statement as a conditional and tentative stance, noting that no formal invitation has been extended." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/4269-bangladesh-keen-to-join-pakistan-saudi-turkiye-defence-pact site: HarZaviya language: en --- # Bangladesh to consider joining Makkah pact if invited, says foreign minister world · latest filing 28 Aug 2026, 1:07 AM PKT · 22–28 Aug 2026 · 23 articles from 15 outlets over 4 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 27 Aug 2026 — Bangladesh to consider joining Makkah pact if invited, says foreign minister (4 outlets) > Most outlets led with the statement by Bangladesh’s foreign minister that the country would “positively consider” joining the Makkah Pact if formally invited by founding members. Dawn and The Express Tribune both included Rahman’s description of the pact as a “self-defence mechanism” for the Muslim world, while Minute Mirror focused more narrowly on the conditional openness to joining the defence agreement. All three framed the statement as a conditional and tentative stance, noting that no formal invitation has been extended. - **Pakistan Today** — [Bangladesh to 'positively' consider joining Makkah pact if invited: foreign minister](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/08/28/bangladesh-to-positively-consider-joining-makkah-pact-if-invited-foreign-minister) · 28 Aug 2026, 1:07 AM PKT > Bangladesh’s foreign minister told parliament Dhaka will “positively” consider joining the Makkah Pact if invited, saying the decision depends on potential benefits and party intentions. - **Dawn** — [Bangladesh to 'positively' consider joining Makkah pact if invited: foreign minister](https://www.dawn.com/news/2025540/bangladesh-to-positively-consider-joining-makkah-pact-if-invited-foreign-minister) · 27 Aug 2026, 9:58 PM PKT · 96% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh would consider joining the Makkah Pact “positively” if invited by founding members, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament on Thursday. “Joining the pact or not has not come yet, as it is subjected to the intention of the parties involved in the pact. If they invite Bangladesh to join, then we will definitely consider it positively,” the foreign minister said, assuring parl... - **Minute Mirror** — [Bangladesh open to joining Makkah defence pact if invited: FM](https://minutemirror.com.pk/bangladesh-open-to-joining-makkah-defence-pact-if-invited-fm-619747/) · 27 Aug 2026, 9:36 PM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh will positively consider joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement if its founding members formally invite the country, - **The Express Tribune** — [Bangladesh to positively consider joining Makkah pact if invited: FM](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2626067/bangladesh-to-positively-consider-joining-makkah-pact-if-invited-fm) · 27 Aug 2026, 2:56 PM PKT · 88% identical wording to the newest filing > Khalilur Rahman tells parliament Makkah pact is Muslim world’s ‘self-defence mechanism’ ### 25 Aug 2026 — Bangladesh expresses interest in joining Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (7 outlets) > Most outlets reported that Bangladesh has shown interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. While the framing was largely consistent, some outlets, like Aaj News, noted in passing that the move could complicate Bangladesh’s foreign relations. Others, such as The Express Tribune and 24 News HD, described the interest as a positive development or in the context of regional geopolitical shifts. The quoted official statements varied in emphasis, with some highlighting the matter as being "viewed positively" and others suggesting it is not unusual for Muslim nations to join such a pact. - **The Express Tribune** — [Bangladesh mulls joining Makkah pact](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2625911/bangladesh-mulls-joining-makkah-pact) · 26 Aug 2026, 3:02 AM PKT > Dhaka views defence alliance invitation positively - **24 News HD** — [Bangladesh shows interest in joining Makkah Joint Defense Agreement](https://www.24newshd.tv/25-Aug-2026/bangladesh-shows-interest-joining-makkah-joint-defense-agreement) · 25 Aug 2026, 11:28 PM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh has shown its willingness to join a Makkah Joint Defense Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, amid growing regional geopolitical shifts, according to an analysis published by Seema Sengupta, a Kolkata-based journalist and columnist. - **Hum News English** — [Bangladesh weighs joining Makkah defence pact in test of foreign policy](https://humenglish.com/latest/bangladesh-weighs-joining-makkah-defence-pact-in-test-of-foreign-policy/) · 25 Aug 2026, 5:57 PM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > DHAKA: Bangladesh could consider joining the Makkah pact, a mutual defence agreement signed this month by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, a minister said, a move that could complicate Dhaka’s foreign relations, particularly with neighbouring India. Ties have been strained as Bangladesh accused Indian border forces of forcibly pushing in people while it seeks extradition of former Prime Minis... - **Aaj News (English)** — [Bangladesh could consider joining Mecca pact, in test for foreign ties](https://english.aaj.tv/news/330469415/bangladesh-could-consider-joining-mecca-pact-in-test-for-foreign-ties) · 25 Aug 2026, 5:12 PM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh could consider joining the Mecca pact, a mutual defence agreement signed this month ​between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, a minister said, a move that could complicate its foreign relations, particularly with neighbouring India. Ties have been ‌strained as Bangladesh accused Indian border forces of forcibly pushing in people while it seeks extradition of former Prime Minister ... - **Business Recorder** — [Bangladesh expresses interest in joining Makkah Joint Defence Agreement: report](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40436472/bangladesh-expresses-interest-in-joining-makkah-joint-defence-agreement-report) · 25 Aug 2026, 4:00 PM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh has expressed its interest in participating in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral military framework recently formed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, Turkish state media Anadolu Agency reported on Tuesday. Speaking on the development, newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir confirmed that Dhaka is viewing the security pact positively... - **Minute Mirror** — [Bangladesh seeks role in Makkah defence agreement](https://minutemirror.com.pk/bangladesh-seeks-role-in-makkah-defence-agreement-618267/) · 25 Aug 2026, 2:50 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh has expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye earlier this month. - **Dawn** — ['The matter is being viewed positively': Official says Bangladesh interested in joining Makkah defence pact](https://www.dawn.com/news/2025203/the-matter-is-being-viewed-positively-official-says-bangladesh-interested-in-joining-makkah-defence-pact) · 25 Aug 2026, 1:17 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh has expressed interest in participating in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, a top diplomat said Monday. “We have expressed our interest in the Makkah Defence pact […] Bangladesh is now a country of recognition. The partners in West Asia (Middle East), the partners in the Muslim world around the globe are now inviting the leadership of Ban... ### 24 Aug 2026 — Bangladesh says ‘discussion ongoing’ on potential entry into Makkah pact (1 outlet) - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Bangladesh says ‘discussion ongoing’ on potential entry into Makkah pact](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2655720/world) · 24 Aug 2026, 9:08 AM PKT > DHAKA: A discussion is underway in Bangladesh on the potential of joining the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, officials say, citing a “positive position” toward a framework involving Saudi Arabia. The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement is a new defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, which was signed in Makkah on Aug. 7, 2026, by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Pr... ### 22 Aug 2026 — Bangladesh signals openness to joining Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence framework (9 outlets) > Most outlets reported that Bangladesh is showing interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement or a similar framework involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, with some noting that the move is being considered in light of regional security and economic dynamics. While the framing of the initiative varied slightly — some referred to it as a "defence pact," others as a "defence framework" — most emphasized Bangladesh's openness or willingness to participate. A few outlets, such as *The Nation* and *Daily Times*, cited Bangladeshi media or officials directly, while others like *24 News HD* and *Business Recorder* attributed the interest to a close aide of the Prime Minister or unnamed sources. - **Daily Times** — [Bangladesh signals willingness to join Makkah defence pact](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1542453/bangladesh-signals-willingness-to-join-makkah-defence-pact/) · 23 Aug 2026, 8:21 AM PKT > Bangladesh has indicated a willingness to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, Bangladeshi media reported. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards joining an economic or defence framework involving the three countries, while considering its own interests and changing global econ... - **Business Recorder** — [Bangladesh keen to join Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40436155/bangladesh-keen-to-join-pakistan-saudi-turkiye-defence-pact) · 23 Aug 2026, 2:33 AM PKT · 91% identical wording to the newest filing > DHAKA: Bangladesh is keen on joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, “taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade,” according to a close aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey,... - **Pakistan Observer** — [Is Bangladesh planning to Join Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye Defence Alliance?](https://pakobserver.net/is-bangladesh-planning-to-join-pakistan-saudi-turkiye-defence-alliance/) · 22 Aug 2026, 10:05 PM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > DHAKA/ISLAMABAD — Just weeks after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye sealed Makkah defence pact, Bangladesh signalled that it could be… - **The Nation** — [Bangladesh open to Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi Arabia defence framework](https://www.nation.com.pk/22-Aug-2026/bangladesh-open-pakistan-turkiye-saudi-arabia-defence-framework) · 22 Aug 2026, 4:37 PM PKT · 80% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh has indicated that it is open to joining a possible joint economic or defence framework involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, according to Bangladeshi media reports. - **BOL News** — [Bangladesh signals interest in Makkah Defense pact](https://www.bolnews.com/world/bangladesh-signals-interest-in-makkah-defense-pact/) · 22 Aug 2026, 1:00 PM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir says Dhaka is considering the emerging framework as regional security and economic dynamics continue to shift. The post Bangladesh signals interest in Makkah Defense pact appeared first on BOL News. - **24 News HD** — [Bangladesh keen to join Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact](https://www.24newshd.tv/22-Aug-2026/bangladesh-keen-join-pakistan-saudi-turkiye-defence-pact) · 22 Aug 2026, 12:30 PM PKT · 89% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh is keen on joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, “taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade,” according to a close aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. - **Dunya News** — [Bangladesh signals openness to joining Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defense framework](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/969179-bangladesh-signals-openness-to-joining-pakistansauditurkiye-defense-) · 22 Aug 2026, 12:18 PM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh has signaled openness to joining a possible economic or defense framework involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, while seeking stronger trade and bilateral ties with Pakistan. - **The Express Tribune** — [Bangladesh signals openness to joining Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence agreement](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2625259/bangladesh-signals-openness-to-joining-pakistan-saudi-turkiye-defence-agreement) · 22 Aug 2026, 11:06 AM PKT · 76% identical wording to the newest filing > Bangladesh adviser for foreign affairs says Dhaka strengthening its working bilateral relationship with Pakistan - **Geo News** — [Bangladesh signals openness to joining Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi Arabia defence pact](https://www.geo.tv/latest/678724-bangladesh-signals-openness-to-joining-pakistan-turkiye-saudi-arabia-defence-pact) · 22 Aug 2026, 11:05 AM PKT · 78% identical wording to the newest filing > A member of Bangladesh Army patrols in front of a temporary camp, after the army was deployed across the country, in order to help civil administration during general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 3, 2024. — ReutersPM's aide Kobir says national interests remain at policy... ## Part of a bigger story Other stories whose coverage resembles this one, nearest first. 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