Bangladesh Join the Makkah Pact? Foreign Minister Says Dhaka Will Consider It Positively

Dhaka: Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has stated that Bangladesh's participation in the Makkah Pact depends on the intentions of the agreement's member nations. He remarked that if they express a desire to include Bangladesh in the pact, the country would certainly consider the proposal positively. Rahman described Bangladesh's foreign policy as independent and free from the pressure of any foreign nation. He declared that the era of a subservient foreign policy is over and the country will no longer bow to anyone. During his address, he also took aim at the previous Sheikh Hasina administration.

**Described Bangladesh's Foreign Policy as Independent**

Responding to a supplementary question from Naogaon-3 MP Mohammad Fazle Hossain during a Q&A session in Parliament, Khalilur Rahman said, "Thanks to our Prime Minister's strong and successful foreign policy, we now stand tall with pride." Rahman added, "Under the Prime Minister's leadership, we will continue to pursue this foreign policy, and Bangladesh will never again bow its head to anyone. We have put an end to a subservient foreign policy."

**Criticized the Awami League Government**

Referring to the previous Awami League regime—which he described as a period of misrule—he noted that for those 15 years, Bangladesh's foreign policy was largely not under its own control. He stated that the government is now formulating 'Key Performance Indicators' (KPIs) for every Bangladeshi mission abroad and will evaluate their performance accordingly. He said, "When we present the next budget, we will place all relevant information before Parliament. You have the right to know this information." What did Khalilur Rahman say about the Makkah Agreement?

In Parliament, independent MP Rumeen Farhana asked what benefits Bangladesh would derive if it joined the Makkah Agreement. In response, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said, "This agreement involves three countries. We view it positively. The question of joining or not joining has not arisen yet, as it depends on the intentions of the agreement's members. If they express a desire to include Bangladesh in this agreement, we will certainly consider it positively."

Makkah Agreement described as a matter for the Muslim family

The Foreign Minister further stated, "A discussion on the pros and cons of this agreement is perhaps not yet relevant. We will certainly consider these matters. However, we must bear in mind that if this agreement expands, it serves as a measure for the self-defense of the global Muslim community. This is our family. It is an internal matter of the Muslim family. There is no room for concern from anyone else regarding this."