By a Freelance Journalist, Dr. Pritam Singh Chouhan
Pakistan clarified that its newly signed Mutual Defence Pact with Saudi Arabia is “defensive in nature” and “not directed against any third country,” while describing the agreement as a landmark step in strengthening bilateral ties and ensuring regional security. Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, addressing the weekly media briefing, termed the pact “an important milestone for promoting peace and security in the region and the world.” He added that both leaderships were committed to elevating defence cooperation, building upon decades of security collaboration between the two nations.
What the Pact Means
Signed on September 17, 2025, the Saudi Arabia–Pakistan Mutual Defence Agreement explicitly states that any military aggression against one country will be treated as an aggression against both. This clause formalises a long-standing but previously informal arrangement of cooperation. Key features include:
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- Mutual Defence Clause: An attack on one will be considered an attack on both.
- Joint Deterrence: Greater coordination in intelligence sharing, defence logistics, and military preparedness.
- Military Cooperation: Future joint exercises, interoperability of forces, and enhanced training frameworks.
- Strategic Commitment: A long-term framework that elevates defence ties beyond transactional cooperation.
Officials noted that this pact marks the most significant upgrade in Saudi–Pakistan defence relations since the 1982 bilateral security agreement, under which Pakistan provided training and deployments on Saudi soil.
Why Now?
The timing of the agreement is seen against the backdrop of shifting geopolitics in West Asia.
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- Israeli Airstrike in Qatar: A recent strike on Hamas leadership in Doha, a U.S. ally, unsettled Gulf capitals and sparked debates on regional security autonomy.
- Doubts over U.S. Commitment: Riyadh, like other Gulf states, is reassessing its dependence on Western defence guarantees.
- Pakistan’s Nuclear Deterrence: Islamabad’s capabilities offer Saudi Arabia additional strategic assurance.
- Historic Military Ties: Pakistani troops have long provided advisory and security support to the Kingdom, particularly during regional conflicts.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Calculations
For Riyadh, the agreement signals a major step in diversifying its defence architecture:
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- Reducing over-reliance on Western powers for security.
- Strengthening ties with a nuclear-armed Muslim-majority state.
- Building a counterbalance to Iran’s regional influence.
- Boosting its ambition of becoming a regional defence hub.
At the same time, the pact adds complexity to Saudi Arabia’s broader diplomacy, as it continues outreach with both Iran and Israel while balancing its U.S. relationship.
Pakistan’s Perspective
For Islamabad, the pact enhances its global standing and underscores its enduring ties with Riyadh. The Pakistani leadership described the agreement as a natural extension of their “special bond of brotherhood,” rooted in the Pakistani people’s reverence for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Defence cooperation since the 1960s, they stressed, has been a cornerstone of bilateral relations, and the new agreement strengthens that legacy at a critical moment.
India’s Concerns
India has reacted cautiously, saying it will closely examine the pact’s implications for its national security and regional stability. While the agreement is officially defensive and not aimed at any country, analysts in New Delhi are concerned about:
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- Pakistan receiving treaty-level strategic backing from Riyadh.
- The potential reshaping of power balances in the Gulf, where India has vital trade and energy stakes.
- The pact’s possible influence on counterterrorism and regional security dynamics.
- The projection of a new Saudi–Pakistan axis could affect India’s diplomatic space in West Asia.
A Strategic Turning Point
By stating, “Any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” the pact introduces a treaty-level depth to the relationship rarely seen in the region’s transactional security arrangements. It comes at a time when Gulf states are rethinking security alignments, Pakistan is seeking renewed relevance, and global powers are recalibrating their presence in West Asia.
For many observers, the Saudi–Pakistan Mutual Defence Pact represents not just a bilateral agreement but a symbolic realignment with ripple effects for South Asia, the Gulf, and beyond.