Mecca Pact eyes expansion as two more nations open to joining Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey bloc

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey could expand, with Syria reviewing whether to join the pact and Bangladesh signalling openness to a wider economic or defence framework.

Syria weighs joining Mecca defence pact

Syria is considering whether to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on August 7.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said Damascus was reviewing the possibility but had not yet taken a final decision. He made the remarks during a state visit to Pakistan.

Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three member states is to be treated as an attack against all three.

Bangladesh signals openness

Bangladesh has also indicated that it could consider joining a broader framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said Dhaka had a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence arrangement, while stressing that Bangladesh would consider its own interests and changing global economic and trade conditions.

The comments do not amount to a decision to join the existing defence agreement.

Syria and Pakistan deepen bilateral ties

Syria's consideration of the pact comes as Damascus and Islamabad work to strengthen bilateral relations.

During al-Shaibani's visit, the two countries agreed to reactivate their joint ministerial committee, maintain direct flights, establish a business council and organise an investment forum.

Syria also plans to upgrade its diplomatic representation in Pakistan to ambassadorial level, with both sides moving towards an exchange of ambassadors.

Bangladesh strengthens ties with Pakistan

Bangladesh is also developing closer relations with Pakistan, particularly in trade and people-to-people connectivity.

Dhaka has described the engagement as part of normal diplomatic relations, while the possibility of participating in a wider framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey could give those ties a broader strategic dimension.

Analysis

The August 7 Mecca agreement formally established a trilateral defence framework between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. Its expansion would potentially give the arrangement a wider geographic reach across the Middle East and South Asia.

However, Syria is still reviewing the possibility of joining, while Bangladesh has only expressed openness to a broader framework. Neither country has formally joined the existing agreement based on the information available.

The potential expansion is also significant because all four countries have different foreign-policy priorities and security interests. Any broader arrangement would therefore depend on the terms of membership, the scope of collective defence commitments and how economic cooperation is incorporated.

For now, the development indicates growing diplomatic engagement among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey and interest from other countries in closer cooperation, rather than a confirmed expansion of the defence pact.