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

LeonBlack08

LeonBlack08

INT'L MOD
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
7,121
Reaction score
11,099
Reputation
4,253.6
Country of Origin
Country of Residence

This gives a new template to Bangladesh's foreign policy at a time when there have been strains over a Sheikh Hasina event in New Delhi even as both countries are working towards a reset in ties.​



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


Bangladesh is keen on joining a formation like the Mecca Pact, Close aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha (BSS), giving a new template to Bangladesh's foreign policy at a time when there have been strains over a Sheikh Hasina event in New Delhi even as both countries are working towards a reset in ties.

On the issue of Bangladesh being keen to join the Mecca pact, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to closely follow the developments in the West Asia region. We are keeping a close eye on that."

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the joint defence agreement in Mecca earlier this month. For India, adding Bangladesh to this equation could present a new worry, as while India maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is an enemy country, and ties with Bangladesh have seen recent hiccups.

The pact was signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The joint statement declared a "shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond".

Hinting at a foreign policy of regional alliances and strategic balance, Rahman's foreign affairs advisor, Humayun Kabir, told BSS, "The government is following a 'Bangladesh First' policy. The government was pursuing a balanced foreign policy in the international arena, with national interests at its core."

"Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade," Kabir told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha.

Kabir said Rahman's visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince, was likely to be finalised soon after the summer.

"At the same time, Bangladesh is strengthening its working bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of normal diplomatic engagement, with a focus on trade and bilateral people-to-people connectivity," he said.

The "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement" is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and Pakistan's foreign ministry said it stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all.

This statement from such a high-ranking official amidst Bangladesh making Sheikh Hasina the central focus of its engagement with India has implications for India's immediate neighbourhood.

Both Pakistan and Turkey have also voiced support for a maritime defence coalition, and Saudi Arabia has already announced plans to protect regional shipping and energy routes. If Bangladesh does join the Mecca pact, then it could also have new implications in the maritime domain.

Some analysts have described the Mecca pact as an Islamic NATO. While Bangladesh is considering joining the agreement, a formal defence agreement will add further stress to the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship, as any engagement with Pakistan is going to be seen with suspicion, as Pakistan has in the past tried to gain a foothold in Bangladesh to push terror into India.
 
Source:
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-keen-to-join-saudi-pak-turkey-defence-alliance-says-pms-top-aide-11940772
I do like threads like this one, if only because our regular Indian forum goers will be far too busy coping to actually post anything.
 
LeonBlack08 said:

This gives a new template to Bangladesh's foreign policy at a time when there have been strains over a Sheikh Hasina event in New Delhi even as both countries are working towards a reset in ties.​



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


Bangladesh is keen on joining a formation like the Mecca Pact, Close aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha (BSS), giving a new template to Bangladesh's foreign policy at a time when there have been strains over a Sheikh Hasina event in New Delhi even as both countries are working towards a reset in ties.

On the issue of Bangladesh being keen to join the Mecca pact, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to closely follow the developments in the West Asia region. We are keeping a close eye on that."

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the joint defence agreement in Mecca earlier this month. For India, adding Bangladesh to this equation could present a new worry, as while India maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is an enemy country, and ties with Bangladesh have seen recent hiccups.

The pact was signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The joint statement declared a "shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond".

Hinting at a foreign policy of regional alliances and strategic balance, Rahman's foreign affairs advisor, Humayun Kabir, told BSS, "The government is following a 'Bangladesh First' policy. The government was pursuing a balanced foreign policy in the international arena, with national interests at its core."

"Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade," Kabir told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha.

Kabir said Rahman's visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince, was likely to be finalised soon after the summer.

"At the same time, Bangladesh is strengthening its working bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of normal diplomatic engagement, with a focus on trade and bilateral people-to-people connectivity," he said.

The "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement" is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and Pakistan's foreign ministry said it stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all.

This statement from such a high-ranking official amidst Bangladesh making Sheikh Hasina the central focus of its engagement with India has implications for India's immediate neighbourhood.

Both Pakistan and Turkey have also voiced support for a maritime defence coalition, and Saudi Arabia has already announced plans to protect regional shipping and energy routes. If Bangladesh does join the Mecca pact, then it could also have new implications in the maritime domain.

Some analysts have described the Mecca pact as an Islamic NATO. While Bangladesh is considering joining the agreement, a formal defence agreement will add further stress to the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship, as any engagement with Pakistan is going to be seen with suspicion, as Pakistan has in the past tried to gain a foothold in Bangladesh to push terror into India.
Click to expand...

share.google

Mohammed bin Salman invites Tarique Rahman to Saudi Arabia for talks on stronger ties

Proposed visit will include discussions on bilateral relations and regional and global issues
share.google share.google

This is interesting timing
 
LeonBlack08 said:

This gives a new template to Bangladesh's foreign policy at a time when there have been strains over a Sheikh Hasina event in New Delhi even as both countries are working towards a reset in ties.​



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


Bangladesh is keen on joining a formation like the Mecca Pact, Close aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha (BSS), giving a new template to Bangladesh's foreign policy at a time when there have been strains over a Sheikh Hasina event in New Delhi even as both countries are working towards a reset in ties.

On the issue of Bangladesh being keen to join the Mecca pact, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to closely follow the developments in the West Asia region. We are keeping a close eye on that."

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the joint defence agreement in Mecca earlier this month. For India, adding Bangladesh to this equation could present a new worry, as while India maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is an enemy country, and ties with Bangladesh have seen recent hiccups.

The pact was signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The joint statement declared a "shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond".

Hinting at a foreign policy of regional alliances and strategic balance, Rahman's foreign affairs advisor, Humayun Kabir, told BSS, "The government is following a 'Bangladesh First' policy. The government was pursuing a balanced foreign policy in the international arena, with national interests at its core."

"Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade," Kabir told Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha.

Kabir said Rahman's visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince, was likely to be finalised soon after the summer.

"At the same time, Bangladesh is strengthening its working bilateral relationship with Pakistan as part of normal diplomatic engagement, with a focus on trade and bilateral people-to-people connectivity," he said.

The "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement" is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and Pakistan's foreign ministry said it stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all.

This statement from such a high-ranking official amidst Bangladesh making Sheikh Hasina the central focus of its engagement with India has implications for India's immediate neighbourhood.

Both Pakistan and Turkey have also voiced support for a maritime defence coalition, and Saudi Arabia has already announced plans to protect regional shipping and energy routes. If Bangladesh does join the Mecca pact, then it could also have new implications in the maritime domain.

Some analysts have described the Mecca pact as an Islamic NATO. While Bangladesh is considering joining the agreement, a formal defence agreement will add further stress to the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship, as any engagement with Pakistan is going to be seen with suspicion, as Pakistan has in the past tried to gain a foothold in Bangladesh to push terror into India.
Click to expand...
Can we thank Iran for uniting all the Sunnis ? :ROFLMAO:
 
Pakistan should stop this. Bangladesh is a complete basket case when it comes to military matters and defense procurements. 20-30 years, and they have yet to fully commit to buying just a dozen jets for their airforce.

Bangladesh will be hangers on - and the door should be shut on them until they meet minimal standards for the size of their armed forces, budget allocation for defense procurements on a sustained basis etc...

In fact, there should be no further expansion of the pact until the founding members fix the core design issues of the pact. ie lack of spare military capability and commitments to the pact in terms of capability and funding levels, etc.
 
Last edited:
Ali_Baba said:
Pakistan should stop this. Bangladesh is a complete basket case when it comes to military matters and defense procurements. 20-30 years, and they have yet to fully commit to buying just a dozen jets for their airforce.

Bangladesh will be hangers on - and the door should be shut on them until they meet minimal standards for the size of their armed forces, budget allocation for defense procurements on a sustained basis etc...

In fact, there should be no further expansion of the pact until the founding members fix the core design issues of the pact. ie lack of spare military capability.
Click to expand...

It’s getting tiring. More than two years after Hasina, and still not a single FJ.

One wonders, how long it takes to make a decision.
 
Al-Zakir said:
It’s getting tiring. More than two years after Hasina, and still not a single FJ.

One wonders, how long it takes to make a decision.
Click to expand...

Honestly - at this stage, Bangladesh needs to re-orient its foreign policy to India, relative to its military capability. It is far more aggressive and "big mouthed" to India than it should be given that Bangladesh has nothing to back that up with. If India invents some "terrorists" that it needs to go after in Bangladesh, then there is not much Bangladesh can do about it.

It maybe the military victory that India needs given their failure in Sindoor, so Bangladesh needs to be careful and wary, very wary infact.
 
Last edited:
Ali_Baba said:
Pakistan should stop this. Bangladesh is a complete basket case when it comes to military matters and defense procurements. 20-30 years, and they have yet to fully commit to buying just a dozen jets for their airforce.

Bangladesh will be hangers on - and the door should be shut on them until they meet minimal standards for the size of their armed forces, budget allocation for defense procurements on a sustained basis etc...

In fact, there should be no further expansion of the pact until the founding members fix the core design issues of the pact. ie lack of spare military capability and commitments to the pact in terms of capability and funding levels, etc.
Click to expand...

True BD is outdated in terms of Military hardware. But you cannot discount trained manpower.

Also, look at NATO. Not every country is a super power.

Of course Bangladesh will have to increase military expenditure as required by the alliance in terms of percentage of our GDP. But we don't need to match defence budge of Turkey or Saudi.
 
Ali_Baba said:
Honestly - at this stage, Bangladesh needs to re-orient its foreign policy to India, relative to its military capability. It is far more aggressive and "big mouthed" to India than it should be given that Bangladesh has nothing to back that up with. If India invents some "terrorists" that it needs to go after in Bangladesh, then there is not much Bangladesh can do about it.

It maybe the military victory that India needs given their failure in Sindoor, so Bangladesh needs to be careful and wary, very wary infact.
Click to expand...

I agree there are plenty of big mouths in Bangladesh. But pretty sure even India knows that most of it is hot air for domestic consumption.

But it is also a fact that India cannot invade and occupy Bangladesh. It's not easy to subdue a hostile population of 170 million, when you have other fronts to worry about. If they stir up something, it will spill into India. They don't have appetite for it.
 
Ali_Baba said:
Honestly - at this stage, Bangladesh needs to re-orient its foreign policy to India,
Click to expand...

Honestly, you don't have any say in BD's foreign policy just like we don't have any say in Pakistan's foreign policy.
 
To fight a modern war just buy a few million fpv drones from China, dig some trenches and shoot In the direction of the Indians and u will be alright :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

  • ... and 1 more.
    • Total: 7 (members: 3, guests: 4)

    Pakistan Defence Latest

    Country Watch Latest

    Latest Posts

    Share this page

    Back
    Top