For Bangladesh, the prospect of joining a security framework involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey may still seem like a distant diplomatic possibility. However, as the three founding members of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement Alliance, or Mecca Pact, hold their first formal Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting in Istanbul on Monday, the potential direction of the alliance is becoming clearer.
The agenda for the meeting in Turkey is particularly significant. Defence capabilities, military interoperability, joint defence production, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism, regional security and the establishment of a permanent secretariat are expected to be key areas of discussion under the framework created by the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
When the agreement was signed on August 7, there was considerable speculation over whether the alliance would remain limited to Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia or eventually expand to other Muslim-majority countries such as Egypt and potentially Bangladesh. The agreement itself leaves scope for expansion.
BBC Urdu, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, has now reported that the Istanbul meeting will include discussions about whether and why additional countries should be brought into the alliance.
At present, however, Egypt appears to be at the centre of the expansion debate rather than Bangladesh.
Cairo is already a member of the Regional-4, or R-4, grouping along with Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The four-nation mechanism focuses on regional security and was established in March amid diplomatic efforts related to tensions between the US and Iran.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also expected to take part in a possible R-4 meeting during his ongoing visit to Turkey, according to Karachi-based Dawn.
Egypt's potential entry into the Mecca Alliance therefore carries strategic significance for its existing members. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also publicly expressed support for Egypt joining the grouping.
The first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting is being held in Istanbul following the signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
WHERE DOES BANGLADESH FIT INTO THE MECCA ALLIANCE?
Bangladesh is currently outside the formal structure of the Mecca Pact, and nothing in the meeting's agenda suggests that Dhaka is close to joining. Nevertheless, the possibility of expansion makes developments surrounding the alliance important from Bangladesh's perspective.
If the Mecca Pact evolves into a broader Muslim-majority security framework instead of remaining a narrowly defined three-country defence arrangement, other countries could eventually become potential members.
Based on current discussions, Egypt appears to be the leading candidate because of its role in the R-4 mechanism and its strategic importance in the Arab world.
Bangladesh would bring a different strategic profile. It is a major Muslim-majority country on India's eastern flank, has longstanding ties with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and has its own interests in regional security.
For now, however, the Istanbul meeting appears primarily focused on making the three-member framework operational.
The founding countries must determine how their armed forces will coordinate, how joint defence production could be organised, how intelligence and logistics will be shared, how collective defence commitments would work and how the alliance will be governed institutionally.
The question of expansion is likely to become more important only after these basic structures are established.
WHO IS ATTENDING THE FIRST MECCA PACT MEETING?
The Istanbul meeting brings together senior political and military representatives from all three founding members of the Mecca Alliance.
Turkey is represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaar Guler and Chief of General Staff General Seluk Bayraktaroglu.
Pakistan's delegation includes Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Saudi Arabia's representatives include Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamid Al Ruwaili.
Pakistan's military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, separately confirmed that Field Marshal Asim Munir was in Turkey on an official visit, according to Dawn.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry and state media also confirmed the meeting and said it would bring together ministers and senior officials from the three countries.
DEFENCE COOPERATION AT THE CENTRE OF THE MEETING
The first committee meeting is expected to shift the Mecca Pact from a largely political initiative towards practical military cooperation.
According to AFP, the participants are expected to discuss strengthening defence capabilities, improving interoperability between their armed forces and expanding cooperation in the defence sector.
Reuters also reported that international security issues would feature on the agenda, alongside discussions on enhanced military capabilities, greater interoperability and deeper defence-industrial cooperation, including joint production and development.
This could become one of the alliance's most important areas of cooperation.
Turkey has developed a significant defence industry, while Pakistan has extensive experience in military production and defence cooperation. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has been working to strengthen its own domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
Closer coordination could therefore extend well beyond joint military exercises. It could include research, technology development, defence manufacturing, logistics, training and intelligence sharing.
GAZA, IRAN WAR AND HOUTHIS IN THE RED SEA: ISSUES ON THE AGENDA
The Istanbul meeting is taking place amid continuing instability across the Middle East.
BBC Urdu reported, citing Turkish Foreign Office sources, that the broader global security environment is expected to be among the major topics discussed by the three countries.
Unresolved issues between the United States and Iran, including questions surrounding maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of renewed tensions, are expected to receive attention.
Security concerns involving shipping routes in the Red Sea, particularly amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement, are another likely focus.
Turkey and Pakistan are among the countries expected to contribute to Saudi-led efforts related to Red Sea security, according to BBC Urdu's report citing Turkish officials.
The meeting is also expected to address Israel's regional policies and challenges related to implementing the second phase of the Gaza peace agreement.
DISCUSSIONS ON BUILDING THE MECCA PACT'S INSTITUTIONS
Perhaps the most important issue at the Istanbul meeting is not a specific conflict but the creation of the alliance's institutional structure.
Turkish state broadcaster TRT reported that the meeting is expected to establish a framework for a permanent secretariat and other mechanisms while creating a roadmap for the alliance's future.
BBC Urdu said the permanent secretariat is expected to be based in Saudi Arabia and would oversee the implementation and monitoring of decisions taken by the Strategic Political and Defence Committee.
The participants may also discuss drawing up a constitution for the alliance, establishing its future operating procedures, deciding how frequently and for how long committee meetings should be held, and setting procedures for meetings between the leaders of the three member states.
According to Turkish state media, the alliance is also expected to reaffirm its objective of promoting regional security, peace and stability and resolving disputes through a “cooperative security” approach rather than confrontation.
For Bangladesh, therefore, the immediate significance of the Istanbul meeting may not be that membership in the Mecca Pact is becoming imminent. Instead, it is that the framework for possible expansion is now being shaped.
The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee could provide the strongest indication yet of whether the Mecca Pact will remain a three-country arrangement or eventually develop into a broader regional security bloc that countries such as Bangladesh could seek to join.
