India Closely Monitoring Bangladesh’s Interest in Joining ‘Mecca Pact’

Jaiswal made the remarks while responding to a journalist’s question during the ministry’s weekly briefing in New Delhi.

 

The journalist asked about Bangladesh’s reported interest in joining the pact, noting that Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir had initially expressed interest in becoming part of the arrangement. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman also described the pact positively on Thursday, saying that if expanded, it could serve as a mechanism for the self-defence of the global Muslim community.

 

Rahman said the matter was an internal issue for the Muslim community and that there was no reason for others to be concerned about it.

 

“We view this pact positively,” the foreign minister said. “The question of joining or not joining has not arisen yet, as it depends on the intentions of the members of the pact. If they express an intention to include Bangladesh in the pact, we will certainly consider it positively.”

 

Asked about India’s view of the Bangladeshi foreign minister’s remarks, Jaiswal said New Delhi was keeping a close watch on all developments, particularly those related to India’s security.

 

“We are closely monitoring all developments, especially if they have a bearing on India’s security. We take all necessary measures to safeguard our security,” he said.

 

The briefing also saw questions about recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. A journalist referred to attacks on two families in which family members were killed and asked whether India was concerned that the Bangladesh government had not taken adequate action.

 

Jaiswal did not make any adverse remarks against the Bangladesh government. Instead, he said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the Bangladesh government.

 

“It is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to deal with the law-and-order situation. They should fulfil that responsibility,” he said.