In the past weeks, intensive debate has ensued on whether Bangladesh should or should not join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), a tripartite defence treaty between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed on August 7.

Dhaka should seek detailed clarification from the founding members on the pact’s military obligations, command arrangements, rules of engagement, financing, intelligence sharing, and the circumstances in which a member would be expected to provide military assistance.

Analysts say joining a defence alliance with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan could affect ties with competing regional and global powers

Joining the Makkah Pact threatens Bangladesh's diplomatic neutrality and risks entangling the nation in foreign military conflicts.