ANKARA, Aug 7: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have signed a trilateral defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security and deterrence amid growing instability across West Asia.
The agreement was signed on Friday by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca.
Under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, an armed attack against any of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three. The framework also seeks to expand cooperation across multiple areas of defence and security.
According to the joint statement, the arrangement is designed to reinforce collective deterrence against aggression while promoting peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.
The pact brings together three strategically important Muslim-majority countries with different geopolitical roles. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, Saudi Arabia is a major energy exporter and custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, while Türkiye is a NATO member with a significant regional military presence.
Security concerns drive closer coordination
The agreement comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions across West Asia, with the conflict spreading into several strategic areas, including the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Gulf countries have increasingly focused on protecting commercial shipping routes and energy infrastructure amid growing regional threats. Saudi Arabia recently proposed a Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition to protect key maritime corridors after attacks involving Iran-backed Houthi forces affected Saudi shipping interests.
Pakistan was among the countries that expressed support for the proposed maritime security initiative. The move highlighted growing international concern over disruptions in one of the world’s most important trade and energy routes.
Islamabad has also indicated that it is working to encourage dialogue between Washington and Tehran under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18.
Pakistan-Saudi defence ties provide foundation
The latest trilateral arrangement builds on the longstanding security partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September last year, under which an attack on either country would be regarded as an act of aggression against both.
Pakistan has also deployed military personnel and aircraft to Saudi Arabia for joint training, defence cooperation and support for the kingdom’s security requirements.
Türkiye’s participation adds another major regional military power to the emerging security framework. Relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv have also faced increased tensions in recent months, adding another dimension to the changing regional security landscape.
Leaders reaffirm strategic partnership
The joint statement said the new framework is rooted in longstanding relations, shared strategic interests, Islamic solidarity and years of defence cooperation among the three countries.
During the Makkah summit, the leaders reviewed bilateral and trilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Before the summit, Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pakistan’s delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
Sharif and Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day official visit, with the delegation scheduled to remain in the kingdom until August 8.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the visit was intended not only to address immediate regional challenges but also to strengthen bilateral relations, expand strategic cooperation and improve coordination on regional and international matters.
The new security arrangement signals a deeper level of defence coordination among Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara at a time when regional powers are reassessing their security partnerships in response to widening instability.