TOP officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were set to meet in Istanbul yesterday for the first meeting since signing the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement earlier this month.

Turkish officials said on Sunday that the meeting will be attended by foreign ministers, defence ministers, and chiefs of staff from the three nations.

The Istanbul meeting will reportedly establish a “political and defence strategic committee” composed of senior representatives of each pact member.

Turkish Foreign Ministry sources say the agenda will cover international security issues, as well as discussions on improving military cooperation and capabilities.

The Mecca Pact forms a collective security arrangement similar to the Nato military alliance, under which an attack on one member could be considered an attack on all. 

Turkey has the second-largest military in Nato, Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country, and Saudi Arabia is the world’s leading oil exporter and has also been accused of secretly possessing nuclear weapons.

In August Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Egypt was considering joining the pact. Iran has also suggested it received an invitation.

Developments relating to the pact are being closely monitored by India. India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters that New Delhi would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security.