Bangladesh, Aug. 28 -- Just weeks after the Mecca Pact was signed, Bangladesh has expressed that it could consider joining the now tripartite ‘collective defence military agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, if it serves Dhakas national and economic interests. Indeed, the parties to this pact have hinted at the extension of the collective security structure to ‘friendly states in future. Sources indicate that it is Saudi Arabia that invited Dhaka to join the pact, indicating that the three Muslim-majority nations are already expanding the Islamic NATO beyond its official purpose: regional security alignment amid conflicts in the Middle East.

While the Mecca Pact does not officially state as a security al...