Pakistan Says More Muslim Nations Keen to Join Defense Pact

Pakistan said six to seven Muslim-majority countries are interested in joining the Mecca Defense Agreement, as top diplomats from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey meet in Istanbul on Monday to discuss security and military cooperation.

While no formal invitation has been received by Bangladesh, the country has stated that an intent to extend the pact to Dhaka will be "considered positively."

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan’s new defense pact is already attracting interest from Bangladesh, Egypt, and Iran. But expansion could reshape regional security, alliances, and power balances.