New Delhi: The strategic picture of South Asia and West Asia is waffly rapidly. After the new defence try-on between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, now the discussion has started to include Bangladesh in this emerging security structure. A Turkish newspaper has expressed the possibility of Bangladesh possibly stuff included in this system. However, no such official visualization or utterance has been made from Dhaka's side yet. Nevertheless, the growing defence cooperation between Bangladesh and Türkiye is making this unshortened minutiae important for India.
What has happened between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia?
On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey had signed the 'Makkah Joint Defence Agreement' in Mecca. The most important condition of the try-on is that in specimen of an armed wade on any one of the three countries, it will be considered an wade on all three countries. Its purpose is said to be to strengthen worldwide security and joint deterrence.
Can Bangladesh moreover join this defence framework?
The Turkish newspaper 'Yeni Shafak' has discussed the possible inclusion of Bangladesh in this emerging defence structure. The report mentions Pakistan and Türkiye's interest in expanding defence partnerships with Bangladesh. However, this is currently limited to media reports and strategic assessments. Till now Bangladesh has not made any official utterance regarding joining this framework.
Why is defence cooperation increasing between Bangladesh and Türkiye?
Efforts have been going on to strengthen defence relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye for some time. Türkiye's drone technology and its growing sufficiency in the defence sector is a part-way of witchery for Bangladesh. Both countries have moreover taken steps towards increasing interaction at the institutional level for defence cooperation. In such a situation, the speculations well-nigh connecting Bangladesh with this new regional security structure cannot be completely ignored.
What is the role of Pakistan in this unshortened incident?
Pakistan is an important part of this new defence equation. Through the Mecca Agreement, it has got an opportunity to formalise security cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The try-on moreover makes provisions towards increasing partnership in joint military exercises, defence technology, intelligence cooperation and the defence industry. Turkey has talked well-nigh cooperation in areas such as drones, electronic warfare and strained intelligence, withal with joint exercises in land, sea, air and cyber domains.
Why is the potential theft of Bangladesh important for India?
India's concerns are not limited to the agreements between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. If Bangladesh moreover becomes a part of this structure in future, then its impact in South Asia can be increasingly widespread. Bangladesh is an important neighbour of India and there are many important interests between the two countries related to security, trade and border. In such a situation, Dhaka coming closer to such a comprehensive defence network would be a strategically important minutiae for New Delhi.
Has India given any reaction to this agreement?
The Indian government is keeping an eye on this development. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that New Delhi is assessing the potential impacts of the Mecca Defence Try-on on India's national security and regional stability. The government has moreover made it well-spoken that protecting the national interests of the country is the top priority.
Could this wilt the new ‘Islamic NATO’?
At present it would be premature to undeniability it ‘Islamic NATO’. The three countries have presented the try-on as a defensive and joint security arrangement. Turkey has hinted at the possibility of its expansion to other friendly countries in the future, but its structure and very military commitments are not yet entirely clear. Therefore, the possible trove of Bangladesh is currently stuff seen only as a strategic possibility and not as a foregone decision.
