As Bangladesh weighs joining the Makkah Pact, Dhaka must secure concrete gains for its workers, energy security and economic future.

Bangladesh’s debate over the Mecca Pact reveals a deeper question: does the country have a clear national security strategy?

Saudi Arabia’s new defence pact with Pakistan and Türkiye signals a broader shift towards strategic diversification in an uncertain Middle East.

In the past weeks, intensive debate has ensued on whether Bangladesh should or should not join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), a tripartite defence treaty between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed on August 7.

Dhaka should seek detailed clarification from the founding members on the pact’s military obligations, command arrangements, rules of engagement, financing, intelligence sharing, and the circumstances in which a member would be expected to provide military assistance.

Analysts say joining a defence alliance with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan could affect ties with competing regional and global powers

Joining the Makkah Pact threatens Bangladesh's diplomatic neutrality and risks entangling the nation in foreign military conflicts.