Bangladesh has said it will consider joining Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, according to a top diplomat speaking on Monday.

“We have expressed our interest in the Makkah Defence pact […] Bangladesh is now a country of recognition. The partners in West Asia (Middle East), the partners in the Muslim world around the globe are now inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, especially the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman be with them in many places,” said Humayun Kabir, the state minister for foreign affairs.

“If there is one [agreement] in West Asia, if there is a security agreement between Islamic countries, then it is not unusual to go there. Let’s see. The matter is being viewed positively,” said Kabir, who previously served as an adviser to Rahman.

The Makkah Defence Agreement was signed earlier this month as a way to bolstr the security of the three Muslim majority nations in light of regional instability.