Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a landmark mutual defence pact, marking a formalisation of their decades-old informal military cooperation.
The timing and nature of this agreement carry significant geopolitical weight, particularly against the backdrop of intensifying conflicts in West Asia, weakening U.S. security guarantees, and shifting alliances in the Persian Gulf.
This development not only represents a recalibration of regional security architecture but also signals a potential realignment in South Asia–West Asia strategic dynamics.
Key Provisions of the Pact
The defence agreement rests on the principle of collective defence, with both countries committing that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
This mirrors the kind of military cooperation seen in NATO and other formal alliances.
The pact includes:
Formation of a joint military committee
Intelligence-sharing mechanisms
Expanded military training programmes
Long-term strategic coordination
Although Pakistan has long stationed military personnel in Saudi Arabia, this treaty institutionalises the relationship within a binding framework.
Historical Background of Pakistan-Saudi Defence Ties
The military partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is neither new nor unprecedented.
It has evolved over several decades through:
The Strategic Timing of the Agreement
It was signed shortly after Israel bombed Qatar, which hosts the Al-Udeid airbase — the largest U.S. military installation in West Asia.
The fact that such an attack occurred without significant American response has triggered alarm bells across Gulf monarchies.
In 2019, Iranian-aligned militias attacked Saudi oil facilities, and the U.S. response was muted.
The American strategic pivot to East Asia has left Gulf states feeling increasingly vulnerable.
Additionally, Israel’s war in Gaza, which erupted after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, has further destabilised the region, affecting Saudi Arabia’s aspirations to normalise relations with Tel Aviv under the Abraham Accords.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have also grown more aggressive and sophisticated. Despite a tentative ceasefire, the group remains a potent threat with its capability to launch missile and drone attacks deep into Saudi territory.
In this volatile context, Pakistan — a nuclear-armed, Muslim-majority country with a surplus of military manpower — emerges as a viable security partner.
Simultaneously, Pakistan’s economic crisis makes it eager for Saudi investment and financial aid.
Implications for West Asia’s Security Landscape
The Saudi-Pakistan pact underscores a broader trend: the erosion of U.S. hegemony in West Asia and the emergence of new security configurations.
For Saudi Arabia, the United States is no longer a wholly reliable security guarantor.
With the Abraham Accords at a standstill, Israel’s uncompromising approach towards Palestine, and its unilateral military operations in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, and recently Qatar, the Gulf monarchies are reevaluating and reshaping their strategic outlook in the region.
Saudi Arabia is sending a strong message to both Washington and Tel Aviv: it is no longer content to be a passive security client.
Instead, it is seeking to diversify its defence partnerships. Bringing Pakistan into the Gulf’s security equation introduces a new axis of military cooperation, one that bypasses traditional Western-led frameworks.
However, this new alliance carries risks:
Pakistan could be dragged into Riyadh’s regional rivalries, particularly with Iran or in the ongoing Yemen conflict.
Saudi Arabia, in turn, could become entangled in South Asian instability, especially if India-Pakistan tensions escalate.
The pact does not neutralise threats from Iran or the Houthis, but it adds a layer of deterrence in a region increasingly prone to military confrontations.
India’s Perspective
The Government was aware that this development, which formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration and will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability.
From an Indian standpoint, the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact is a geopolitical setback.
Over the past decade, India has significantly expanded its ties with Saudi Arabia through energy trade, strategic dialogue, counter-terrorism cooperation, and a strong diaspora presence (over 2.6 million Indians live in the kingdom).
At the same time, India has developed a pro-Israeli tilt, enhancing defence and intelligence cooperation with Tel Aviv.
Riyadh’s decision to partner more closely with Pakistan could erode India’s strategic clout in the region.
Additionally, if Pakistan effectively positions itself as a credible Gulf security provider, it may overshadow India’s growing influence in West Asia.
This could affect not only energy security and trade but also India’s ability to influence regional stability and counter extremist networks..
