1 week ago
Bangladesh Open to Joining Saudi-Pak-Turkiye Defence Alliance Pact
Bangladesh is thinking about joining a new defence group involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye.
The group’s agreement says that an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all three.
Bangladesh has not made a final decision to join.
Minister Humayun Kobir said the country would put its own interests first.
Minister Shama Obaed Islam said the interests of Bangladeshi people would also be important.
Bangladesh wants to keep a balanced relationship with all countries.
It also plans to improve relations with Pakistan through trade and contact between people.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may visit Riyadh after an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Bangladesh says it is open to joining a Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye economic or defence framework.
The pact, signed in Makkah on August 7, treats an attack on one member as an attack on all three.
State Minister Humayun Kobir said decisions would follow a “Bangladesh First” and balanced foreign policy.
State Minister Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh’s national interests and its people’s interests would guide any decision.
Bangladesh plans to deepen ties with Pakistan through diplomacy, trade and people-to-people connectivity.
- Who
- Bangladesh, represented by State Ministers Humayun Kobir and Shama Obaed Islam, is considering a framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye.
- What
- Bangladesh is open to possibly joining the recently formed defence alliance while strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan.
- Where
- The pact was signed in Makkah, Saudi Arabia; the ministers’ comments were reported from Dhaka.
- When
- The pact was signed on August 7; the ministers discussed Bangladesh’s position on Friday, and the report was dated August 22.
- Why
- Bangladesh says any decision will depend on its national interests, the interests of its people, sovereignty, and changing global economic and trade dynamics.
Case for Considering Membership
Reasons for Caution
Defence and economic cooperation
Case for Considering Membership
Bangladesh’s foreign-affairs minister said the country maintains a positive approach toward joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye.
Reasons for Caution
Bangladesh has not committed to joining and says participation must be assessed against its national interests and the changing global economy and trade.
Decision-making principle
Case for Considering Membership
The “Bangladesh First” policy could support joining if the framework benefits Bangladesh and its people.
Reasons for Caution
Officials said Bangladesh would join no pact or multilateral body unless its interests, sovereignty and the interests of its people are protected.
Key facts
- Pact members
- Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye
- Signing date
- August 7
- Signing location
- Makkah
- Collective-defence provision
- An armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all three.
- Bangladesh’s stated policy
- A “Bangladesh First” and balanced foreign policy focused on national interests.
- Pakistan relations
- Bangladesh plans normal diplomatic engagement focused on trade and people-to-people connectivity.
- Possible Saudi visit
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Riyadh at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s invitation; the schedule is not finalised.
Quotes
Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir
Bangladesh finance and planning adviser
“Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade.”
thehansindia.com
theprint.in
“Whether we join any pact or any multilateral body will be decided primarily on whether Bangladesh’s interests and the interests of the Bangladeshi people are protected.”
theprint.in
Sources
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