Bangladesh Keen To Join Saudi-Pak-Turkey Defence Alliance, Says PM's Top Aide

[Mr X]

Your country military is ABYSMAL. I’m sure your 2 or 3 small naval ships and a 50 year old out of date planes tanks will save us.

Technically, Bangladesh has a larger economy than Pakistan and could afford to modernise its military more rapidly. Unlike Pakistan, it does not have to sustain an army of around 650,000 personnel, allowing it to maintain a better balance between quality and quantity.

Ultimately, it depends on whether Bangladesh wants to become a major military power or prioritise economic strength. So far, Bangladesh appears to have made the right choice by focusing on developing its economy.

Bangladesh’s geography is also highly advantageous. If it were to join the Makkah Pact, its strategic location could potentially make it valuable to Pakistan in deterring India. From a purely geographical perspective, Bangladesh could be more strategically useful to Pakistan than Saudi Arabia or Türkiye, although that is not intended to cast doubt on the goodwill or intentions of our existing allies.

I will be happy to see to see Makkah pact expanding to Bangladesh and Egypt and then freeze the nations from joining further for the next 5-20 years so that we can increase military collaboration between these nations first. Bangladesh has a population of 170 million+. So they will be able to supply manpower just like Pakistan.

 

[Ali_Baba]

There is absolutely no chance you are running the foreign ministry at any of three countries. So I wouldn't worry about it.

It makes no sense for the pact to include Bangladesh right now, it is a military basket case with no strategic or military value add. Why military capability does Bangladesh bring to the table ??

 

[Ali_Baba]

Not It won't. But that's beside the point.
Syria can't save anyone either. But Turkiye want Syria in.

Syria is actively focused on building and rebuilding its military, there is significant progress being made there. They are starting from a lower base, but Syria will end up with a far more capable military than Bangladesh in a few years at their rate. Let's not kid ourselves here. Syria is of more strategic interest than Bangladesh to the pact.

 

[Indos]

It makes no sense for the pact to include Bangladesh right now, it is a military basket case with no strategic or military value add. Why military capability does Bangladesh bring to the table ??

BD has 200 million people, their troops are critical, and the pact is also good for deterrent for BD to both India and Myanmar threat

 

[retaxis]

I think Bangladesh should go for drone technology whether its fpv drones, drones like the shahed or more advanced drones warfare like gj-11s. Trying to go toe to toe with indian airforce requires spending tens of billions in jet fighters, awacs, radars, anti air defence etc and much of it could be lost in the first few days of the war.

Better to do the Ukraine formula to grind down the enemy in a high casualty style war fighting where the arena is full of trenches, land mines, barbed wire, fpv drones, metal nettings protect from drones, inflatable fake decoy weapon systems and of course a lot of camouflage as well. Ukraine show this method without air superiority can work against a much larger force with more tanks, artillery, apcs, ifvs etc.

 

[Ali_Baba]

BD has 200 million people, their troops are critical, and the pact is also good for deterrent for BD to both India and Myanmar threat

Yes, large country. But, their troops are not critical. BD brings no military deterrence value to the founding members of Pakistan, Saudi and Turkiye. Not even to Pakistan vs India. What is the BD military going to do against India? Line up and fire "spit balls" at them???

 

[KingQamaR]

Technically, Bangladesh has a larger economy than Pakistan and could afford to modernise its military more rapidly. Unlike Pakistan, it does not have to sustain an army of around 650,000 personnel, allowing it to maintain a better balance between quality and quantity.

Ultimately, it depends on whether Bangladesh wants to become a major military power or prioritise economic strength. So far, Bangladesh appears to have made the right choice by focusing on developing its economy.

Bangladesh’s geography is also highly advantageous. If it were to join the Makkah Pact, its strategic location could potentially make it valuable to Pakistan in deterring India. From a purely geographical perspective, Bangladesh could be more strategically useful to Pakistan than Saudi Arabia or Türkiye, although that is not intended to cast doubt on the goodwill or intentions of our existing allies.

I will be happy to see to see Makkah pact expanding to Bangladesh and Egypt and then freeze the nations from joining further for the next 5-20 years so that we can increase military collaboration between these nations first. Bangladesh has a population of 170 million+. So they will be able to supply manpower just like Pakistan.

Cmon
That’s got a laugh?
Bangladeshis potential !

Dhakka are gonna add very very little to Mecca Pact. Bangladeshis is of no strategic location due its awful geographical position. Can Mecca pact protect them! But why would Dhaka want to join? Saudi and Turkey are faraway. Bangladeshis need to stay neutral and need to take their defence seriously! Bangladesh is a sitting duck if Israeli start to arm Myanmar or India against them.

 

[Afif]

Syria is actively focused on building and rebuilding its military, there is significant progress being made there. They are starting from a lower base, but Syria will end up with a far more capable military than Bangladesh in a few years at their rate. Let's not kid ourselves here. Syria is of more strategic interest than Bangladesh to the pact.

Dude, Syria's GDP is $60 billions not 600 billions. It has nearly zero forex. The country is completely war torn. It is dishonest to claim they are gonna have a better military than BD in few years.

 

[maxpane]

on a serious note ,how KSA Paksitan and Turkiye supprt Bangladesh incase if indian invasion. dnt you think there is no safe supply line as bangldesh is covered by india on both sides and on side on myanmar .

 

[mythbuster]

Technically, Bangladesh has a larger economy than Pakistan and could afford to modernise its military more rapidly. Unlike Pakistan, it does not have to sustain an army of around 650,000 personnel, allowing it to maintain a better balance between quality and quantity.

Ultimately, it depends on whether Bangladesh wants to become a major military power or prioritise economic strength. So far, Bangladesh appears to have made the right choice by focusing on developing its economy.

Bangladesh’s geography is also highly advantageous. If it were to join the Makkah Pact, its strategic location could potentially make it valuable to Pakistan in deterring India. From a purely geographical perspective, Bangladesh could be more strategically useful to Pakistan than Saudi Arabia or Türkiye, although that is not intended to cast doubt on the goodwill or intentions of our existing allies.

I will be happy to see to see Makkah pact expanding to Bangladesh and Egypt and then freeze the nations from joining further for the next 5-20 years so that we can increase military collaboration between these nations first. Bangladesh has a population of 170 million+. So they will be able to supply manpower just like Pakistan.

Bangladesh when out of Indian clutches will gravitate towards South East Asia , middle east will gradually lose it's luster for Bangladesh.

 

[LeonBlack08]

Bangladesh when out of Indian clutches will gravitate towards South East Asia , middle east will gradually lose it's luster for Bangladesh.

Mid East is the primary forex generating source for Bangladesh. So don't see that pivot happening anytime soon.

Also, don't discount the religious zealousness of certain groups of Bangladeshis have towards mid East. Bengalis fought in the Arab Israeli wars as part of United Pakistan in the past. Likewise, many volunteered to fight during the Soviet invasion of Afghans. Middle East will always be in centre of many people's attention because of religion.

 

[LeonBlack08]

Cmon
That’s got a laugh?
Bangladeshis potential !

Dhakka are gonna add very very little to Mecca Pact. Bangladeshis is of no strategic location due its awful geographical position. Can Mecca pact protect them! But why would Dhaka want to join? Saudi and Turkey are faraway. Bangladeshis need to stay neutral and need to take their defence seriously! Bangladesh is a sitting duck if Israeli start to arm Myanmar or India against them.

Why would Dhaka want to Join?

Saudi has large BD expat population. Economically it is one of our biggest sources of Forex. So if Saudis want us in, we are saying yes without blinking for that reason alone. Plus the religious zealousness I talked about in my previous post.

For Bangladesh - if getting in this alliance means we can get the Indians and Americans to interfere less in our internal affairs, that's a huge win. It will act as a deterrent from potential adversaries from any ill adventure. Plus - a defence alliance doesn't stay limited to defence. It has a positive effect on business relationships as well, which is great for economy.

As for Turkey - Bangladesh has been recently growing strong military ties with Turkey. We purchased drones, APCs, Rocket Artillery in recent years. Bangladesh joining will require Bangladesh to invest more in defence. Which would imply more business for Turkish MIC.

As for Pakistan - getting BD out of Indian clutches and forcing them to divert resources to another front is a victory on its own. Not to forget the Pakistani MIC is also looking to get some business in BD. In the past they had received business from Bangladesh armed forces for anti-tank missile systems and other small arms.

I read in your earlier post that the two front against India is myth as proven in 1971. But based on recent developments between the two countries military and intelligence officials, it clearly doesn't seem like your military top brass agrees with your assessment.

 

[mythbuster]

Mid East is the primary forex generating source for Bangladesh. So don't see that pivot happening anytime soon.

Also, don't discount the religious zealousness of certain groups of Bangladeshis have towards mid East. Bengalis fought in the Arab Israeli wars as part of United Pakistan in the past. Likewise, many volunteered to fight during the Soviet invasion of Afghans. Middle East will always be in centre of many people's attention because of religion.

I said ' gradually lose ' ...
Nothing stays same forever , people evolve and along with it nations evolve ..In a not too distant future all the expat workers in the middle east will return to their countries.... South East Asia is a Muslim majority region , you will feel at home there.

 

[Starlord]

I don't think BD will join anytime soon, but in future they will and should join. A lot of people talking about the military aspect of BD joining the pact, but many misses the Geographical aspect of this Agreement, BD although have no imminent threat from India or Myanmar which will require the help of Pakistan-Turkiye or KSA. But if we are assume that India is the main threat we have to take the Geography into consideration, in case of a BD went into war with anyone, if BD is part of the pact Pakistan will have to be the first one to mobilize its troops to help, but given Pakistan Navy is not a blue water navy which can drop thousands of marines into BD to help and for Air force we have India between us, any off route will make logistic operations a nightmare. Its the same curse that Pakistan face during the 1971 war, that Pakistan can not support its forces in BD.

But once BD's Air force, Navy and Pakistan's navy is large enough and the PACT build joint commands where troops and assets of all countries are stationed near the hot/high risk zones, then yes BD can be very valuable to choke India in case of a full scale war with Pakistan. And Tbh BD doesn't even have to fully enter the war, they can mobilize its forces to build pressure. But I think right now BD needs to focus on internal stability, build its Air force, Navy, Land forces, raise a strong drone fleet, proper coverage of AD (Short/medium/Long Range). Lets not get carried away with insulting each other and getting emotional, its good that BD shows interests in joining the mecca Pact.

 

[That_Guy]

If this happens, it would basically be a grand upset in South Asia, diminishing Indian influence in the region much further.

I don't it will come to pass any time soon, but if it does, that's another nation India won't be able to threaten.