Bangladesh is ready to consider joining a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
Bangladesh’s adviser on foreign affairs, Humayun Kabir, announced that Dhaka is open to participating in a proposed security framework that would bring together Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. The move signals a strategic shift for the South Asian nation, which has traditionally balanced its defence ties between major powers such as the United States, China and India.
The envisaged arrangement aims to deepen regional cooperation on defence and economic matters, creating a platform for joint training, intelligence sharing and procurement. While the details remain under discussion, Kabir emphasised that the initiative would extend Bangladesh’s security partnerships beyond its historic allies, offering new avenues for technology transfer and capacity‑building.
For Pakistan, the prospect of a Bangladesh‑Saudi‑Türkiye bloc could strengthen its own strategic depth in the Indian Ocean and provide a counter‑weight to India’s growing influence. Islamabad has long sought to solidify defence ties with both Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and Bangladesh’s participation would broaden the coalition’s geographic reach and diplomatic leverage.
The talks are still in an early phase, with no formal agreement signed yet. Officials from the four countries are expected to continue deliberations over the coming months, assessing how the framework could be operationalised and what concrete commitments each side is prepared to make.