Why this matters
The key signal is whether a bilateral defense commitment becomes a wider Pacific security architecture—and whether smaller states help set its terms.
Places in this story: South Asia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
India watches warily as Bangladesh eyes Mecca defense pact
Bangladesh has spent 55 years avoiding military alliances. It may now be contemplating the rather more complicated business of joining one. Humaiun Kobir, the state minister for foreign affairs, said this week that Bangladesh had expressed interest in the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on August 7. The collective…