State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir today said Bangladesh views positively the "Mecca Defence Pact" involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, noting that Dhaka's participation in such an initiative among Islamic nations would not be unusual.
"We have expressed interest in the Mecca Defence Pact. So, if something happens in the Middle East, like a security pact among Islamic nations, it isn't unusual to participate. Let's see. It's being viewed positively," he told reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon.
The newly appointed state minister said Bangladesh has emerged as a country receiving growing recognition, with stakeholders in the Middle East and elsewhere showing increasing interest in engaging with Dhaka.
"They are inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to come and participate," he said.
Referring to Bangladesh's longstanding ties with Saudi Arabia and the significance of the holy city to the country's predominantly Muslim population, Kobir said: "Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh and in the hearts of the people."
The state minister made the remarks while interacting with journalists on his first working day at the foreign ministry after assuming his new responsibility.
Kobir, who previously served as the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, said Bangladesh's foreign policy had entered a new phase, with the government now seeking to deepen bilateral and multilateral relations and enhance the country's visibility and influence globally.
He said the government had developed a strategic framework for Bangladesh's foreign policy over the past six months and would now roll out its engagements from that foundation.
The state minister said the new phase would focus on adding greater substance to Bangladesh's bilateral and multilateral relationships while taking the country's international visibility and influence to new heights.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a defence agreement under which an attack on one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all, according to reports.