Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence agreement that broadens the strategic relationship of the two countries during the state visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh. The agreement contains a huge point which states that any aggression to either of the countries would be regarded as aggression to both.
This is the extent of the Defence Agreement.
The accord is based on several decades of strong relationships that have historical foundations and Islamic unity. It seeks to enhance defence cooperation by:
- Both joint training and exercises.
- Military joint planning.
- Mutual deterrence policies.
- Collective security assurance clause.
It is this provision that has attracted regional interest since it in effect forms a bilateral security system between Riyadh and Islamabad.
India's Response
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came out with a restrained statement admitting that the pact was merely the formalization of a relationship that existed over the years. India stated that it will be keen to consider the consequences to its national security and regional dynamics. New Delhi too declared its determination on protecting its strategic interests as it sought stability in South Asia and the Middle East region at large.
Regional Context
The development is a follow up of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that increased the tensions between India and Pakistan. After the attack, India took a very specific counterterrorism attack Operation Sindoor. It is against this backdrop that the new defence pact is seen as the strengthening of Pakistan-Saudi relations as well as a possible re-balancing of security equations in the region.
The Balancing Role in Saudi Arabia.
As much as Riyadh has strengthened its defence ties with Pakistan, over the past few years, it has also continued to forge good ties with India. India has become the second biggest trading partner of Saudi Arabia under the Narendra Modi led government. On April 2025, when Modi visited Riyadh, the two countries passed a joint denunciation of terrorism, specifically condemning cross-border terror and demanding that those committing terrorism be brought to justice.
The dualism of Saudi Arabia towards India and Pakistan is a perspective of the balancing process in Saudi Arabia, as it seeks to retain old ties and develop increasing new ones with New Delhi in energy, trade, and investment.
Strategic Implications
- To Pakistan: The agreement provides greater security guarantees and an enhancement of its position in the region.
- To Saudi Arabia: It strengthens its position as an ally in terms of security and indicates it still has Pakistan on its side.
- To India: The accord raises eyebrows on regional associations, but not necessarily challenges the increasing Indian ties with Riyadh.
Conclusion
The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence accord focuses on the changing regional politics when security tensions are on the rise in South Asian regions. Whereas Pakistan is celebrating the agreement as a strategic move, India has adopted a cautious approach, in which it has opted to take a careful evaluation
Month: Current Affairs - September 18, 2025
Category: current affairs daily