Erdogan hints Egypt could join Turkey-Saudi-Pakistan defence pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signalled that Egypt could become the next member of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a collective security pact signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. The pact functions like NATO's Article 5, treating an attack on any one member as an attack on all.

The landmark agreement was signed in Mecca by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan said bringing Egypt into the pact could be a natural step for regional stability. Egyptian officials had taken part in months of preparatory discussions before the summit.

India is assessing the implications of the trilateral defence agreement for its national security and regional peace, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. 'We are examining its implications,' he told reporters. India said it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its interests.