- Top officials from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to meet in Istanbul for the first defence pact meeting.
- Bangladesh has also stated it is actively considering joining the agreement.
- The potential expansion is being closely monitored by India, whose Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, told reporters that New Delhi would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security.
Top officials from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to meet in Istanbul to formalize a defence pact aimed at enhancing military cooperation and addressing international security challenges.1
The meeting will include foreign ministers, defence ministers, and chiefs of staff from the three nations, as Turkish officials confirmed.
According to AFP, the gathering will establish a political and defence strategic committee to facilitate ongoing collaboration.
The agenda will focus on improving military capabilities and addressing pressing security issues, as reported by Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
This initiative follows the Mecca agreement, which forms a collective security pact akin to NATO, where an attack on one member is viewed as an attack on all.
Notably, Bangladesh is also considering joining the pact, indicating a potential expansion of this alliance.2
India is closely monitoring these developments, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that New Delhi will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security amidst these regional shifts.3
“Bangladesh has stated it is actively considering joining the agreement, a move that could expand the pact's reach. India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters that New Delhi would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security.”
