Bangladesh is evaluating potential membership in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a military pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey on August 7, 2026.
The agreement, dubbed an 'Islamic NATO', includes a collective defence provision similar to Article 5, alongside cooperation in defence production, technology transfer, and joint military exercises.
Dhaka's interest is driven by economic and security goals, including protecting remittances from Saudi Arabia, which contributed $5.28 billion in the first 11 months of the 2025-26 financial year.