Turkish media proposes Bangladesh for ‘Mecca pact’, raising concerns in India

A proposal in Turkish media to include Bangladesh in the recently signed “Mecca pact” between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye has triggered fresh debate in South Asian geopolitics. An NDTV article said the possible expansion of Dhaka-Ankara defence cooperation could concern India and signal Bangladesh’s move towards a more independent foreign policy.

Citing Türkiye’s influential Yeni Şafak, NDTV said Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Saudi-Pakistani-Turkish alliance could help Dhaka move towards “a mature and independent foreign policy” by overcoming its bilateral asymmetry with India. The NDTV report said Yeni Şafak is close to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Türkiye’s ruling Islamist political establishment. It has also maintained a positive stance towards Bangladesh since the political change in 2024.

According to NDTV, Ankara has long sought to deepen defence ties with Bangladesh and has signalled that Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Saudi-led bloc remains possible. “The ‘Mecca defence pact’ will provide Türkiye with additional strength, which is becoming an increasingly major challenge to India’s security,” the article said. However, Saudi Arabia is unlikely to risk its strong ties with India. At least 40 Indian companies have headquarters or regional offices in Saudi Arabia, while the two countries maintain extensive energy, economic and defence cooperation.

The Turkish report titled “What would happen if Bangladesh joined the Saudi-Türkiye-Pakistan defence pact?” presented a hypothetical scenario in which Bangladesh’s participation would strengthen its defence capabilities and foreign-policy independence. It said Türkiye’s warship-building and drone technology, combined with Pakistan’s maritime experience, could help Bangladesh modernise its navy. Such cooperation could also strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the Bay of Bengal and give it greater leverage in dealing with India over issues such as water sharing and trade.

The report described joining the alliance not as an aggressive move but as a form of “hedging”, allowing Bangladesh to balance relations with China, India and the West while gaining alternative economic and security partnerships. It also argued that Bangladesh’s participation would give Pakistan greater strategic depth and Türkiye an opportunity to expand its influence in South Asia. For India, the report said, the appropriate response should be adaptation rather than obstruction, as Bangladesh’s partnership with the bloc could become part of a new multipolar regional order.

Analysts cited in the report believe the debate reflects India’s concern over the declining exclusivity of its influence in South Asia. They argue that closer ties with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia could strengthen Bangladesh’s defence capabilities, sovereignty and ability to pursue an independent foreign policy.