State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Sunday stated that Bangladesh perceives no risk in entering the Mecca Defence Pact and that doing so would not curtail Bangladesh’s cooperative ties involving alternative allies.

“This is a unique pact that, presenting new opportunities,” he communicated to journalists stationed at the foreign ministry in the wake of a courtesy call paid by Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah.

Humaiun Kobir added that Bangladesh regarded the contemplated pact “positively” while “we are currently holding discussions on this matter, and those discussions are progressing positively with all bilateral partners”.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement or the “Mecca Pact” was formally executed on August 7, 2026, featuring Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey as its participating members up to this point.

When solicited for observations regarding potential hazards Bangladesh might encounter should it eventually accede to the proposed security framework, he remarked that Dhaka will pursue a cohesive and adaptable foreign and security strategy while preserving equilibrium across its global connections.

“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 expressed.

Humaiun Kobir conveyed that in accordance with this strategy “we will balance our international relations” and Bangladesh’s prospective entry into the defense coalition would introduce zero peril.

The state minister noted that participating in a singular domain of collaboration amid the present turbulent and crisis-ridden global political atmosphere would neither constrain Bangladesh's diplomatic choices nor bar it from collaborating alongside different coalitions or partners.

“Entering into one specific sphere within today's volatile or crisis-driven international political climate does not mean you cannot contribute to other alliances or fields. It does not restrict your scope,” he stated.

Humaiun Kobir re-emphasized Bangladesh’s dedication to worldwide peace, mentioning that Dhaka will persist in participating wherever its background and proficiency can foster peace and stability.

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

During the preceding week, Kobir conducted a sequence of bilateral conferences, featuring discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud alongside additional high-ranking officials during his journey to Jeddah to attend the OIC’s 23rd Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).

Upon being queried if the proposed pact had featured during his deliberations in Jeddah, Kobir validated that conversations had transpired and appended that his counterparts' reaction was “positive, very positive”.

The state minister, however, clarified that Bangladesh has yet to be handed an official invitation to adhere to the pact.

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

The state minister mentioned that Bangladesh’s receptive disposition toward the pact was guided by its enduring participation in United Nations peacekeeping initiatives alongside its globally acknowledged proficiency concerning security operations.

“Bangladesh is a huge contributor to international peacekeeping under the United Nations framework. Maintaining peace is not a new concept for Bangladesh; we have extensive experience and expertise in this area, and we are recognized globally for it,” he observed.

The state minister further added, “we do this (peacekeeping operation) all around the world, so why should we not do it for our Muslim brotherhood here”.

“We are not new to this field, nor are we novices in peace operations. We are experts, contributing one of the largest contingents to the UN peacekeeping system,” he asserted.

He communicated that approaching such an undertaking with a constructive mindset to assist in tackling hurdles confronting the Islamic community was “not a bad thing at all” given that Saudi Arabia acts as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

The state minister shared that deliberations regarding the topic advanced constructively and let's see how things develop as we engage further,” Kobir remarked.

In reference to his Jeddah itineraries, Kobir stated that his conference alongside the Saudi foreign minister was “very fruitful”, with both parties additionally conferring on commerce, capital investment, and prospective military collaboration.

He likewise convened meetings alongside senior delegates representing Qatar, Kuwait, and the Maldives on the sidelines of the OIC summit.

The state minister declared that Bangladesh’s “goodwill footprint” stands presently at the vanguard within the Middle East, voicing confidence that Dhaka can convert this standing into more robust and fruitful associations with territories situated in the area.