State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said Bangladesh is assessing the situation regarding the "Mecca Pact" involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan before deciding whether to join the alliance if invited.

“We are assessing the situation regarding participation in the Mecca Pact. Bangladesh’s interests will be considered first before joining the alliance,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bangladesh has not yet received any formal invitation to join the pact.

She said Bangladesh’s national interest would be the foremost consideration in taking any decision regarding participation in the pact.

Bangladesh has viewed the pact positively and is interested in the initiative.

Bangladesh could benefit from joining the “Mecca Pact” if it proceeds with effective diplomatic preparation and political consensus, said international relations expert Prof Shahab Enam Khan, stressing that Bangladesh needs to carefully assess the regional, diplomatic and strategic implications of joining the pact.

“...if we do it with effective diplomatic preparation, with political consensus, it would definitely be good for Bangladesh,” said Prof Khan, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, at a discussion in the city on Monday.

Speaking at a roundtable titled “Joining the Mecca Pact: Sustaining Bangladesh’s Options,” Prof Khan said Bangladesh faces its own security challenges in the Bay of Bengal and the wider region, including instability in neighboring countries and the situation in Myanmar.

“I think it is good that we are having discussions about this and if Bangladesh can join the Mecca Pact, it would be good,” he said.

On Sunday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh sees no risk in joining the Mecca Defence Pact and that it would not restrict Bangladesh’s engagement with other partners.

“This is a unique pact, presenting new opportunities,” he told reporters after Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah called on him.

He also said “Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh” while explaining Dhaka’s positive attitude towards the initiative.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, or the “Mecca Pact,” was officially signed on August 7, 2026, with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye being its partners so far.