 "Can Bangladesh defend Pakistan? Pak military readies draft for mutual defence deal, says report")
Pakistan and Bangladesh are reportedly moving toward a mutual defence agreement, raising a key question: can Bangladesh defend Pakistan? The initiative marks a significant shift in bilateral ties following renewed diplomatic and military engagement between the two nations.
A senior official in Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry told CNN-News18 that Islamabad and Dhaka have set up a joint mechanism to finalise the contents and draft of the proposed agreement. The move points to expanding military-to-military contacts and closer strategic coordination between the two South Asian nations. R
Military engagement gathers pace
Senior diplomatic sources said Bangladesh’s military establishment is keen to enter into a strategic and defence agreement with Pakistan, comparable to Pakistan’s defence cooperation arrangements with countries such as Saudi Arabia. Multiple rounds of talks have already taken place between the military leaderships of both sides to move the proposal forward.
In recent months, senior military officials from Pakistan and Bangladesh have exchanged frequent visits, underlining growing trust and cooperation. Officials from the army, air force, and navy of both countries have held several meetings this year, leading to the signing of multiple military memorandums of understanding covering training, capacity-building, and professional exchanges.
Elections, regional context and next steps
Sources said progress on the proposed agreement has been steady, but the final draft is expected to be completed after Bangladesh’s general elections, allowing the next government to review and formally endorse the pact.
The acceleration in engagement follows a clear improvement in relations after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, with both countries moving quickly to restore diplomatic channels and defence cooperation.
In a wider regional context, a senior diplomatic source said at least eight countries have expressed interest in similar strategic and mutual defence arrangements with Pakistan, highlighting Islamabad’s expanding defence diplomacy and role in regional security cooperation.
If finalised, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Mutual Defence Agreement would mark one of the most significant strategic developments between the two countries in decades, with the potential to reshape security dynamics in South Asia.