Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated in Parliament on Thursday that the recently signed Saudi Arabia-Türkiye-Pakistan "Mecca Pact" is an internal defense mechanism for the global Muslim community and other nations have no reason to be concerned about its potential expansion.
Responding to independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana about Bangladesh potentially joining the pact signed on August 7, 2026 Dr. Rahman clarified that participation is not currently on the table.
"If they invite Bangladesh, we will certainly consider it. However, it is premature to discuss the advantages and disadvantages before receiving an invitation" he said. He views the trilateral initiative positively and framing any future expansion as a matter of collective self-defense for Muslim nations.
Addressing another question from Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem regarding Bangladesh’s upcoming presidency of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the Foreign Minister emphasized strict impartiality. Likening the UNGA presidency to the Speaker of Parliament, he pledged to serve all 193 UN member states equally rather than pursuing narrow national interests. "Bangladesh will proudly discharge this responsibility for everyone" he affirmed.
Reflecting on his election as UNGA President Dr. Rahman credited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership. Despite having a brief 10-week campaign window which the minister initially deemed an "impossible mission" he noted that the Prime Minister's confidence and their collective diplomatic efforts secured a significant victory for Bangladesh on the global stage.
