ISLAMABAD: The signing of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement betweenPakistan and Saudi Arabia on September 17, 2025, and the new emergingdefence deal has emerged as a pivotal development in middle east securitydynamics. This pact formalizes a long-standing brotherhood into a bindingcommitment where any aggression against one nation is deemed an attack onboth, echoing collective defense principles seen in established alliances.The agreement comes against a backdrop of escalating regional instability,including recent Israeli strikes in the Gulf and ongoing proxy conflicts,prompting both countries to bolster their strategic posture. PakistaniPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmansealed the deal in Riyadh during a high-profile state visit, with militaryleaders present to underscore its gravity. This move has sparked widespreaddebate on whether it extends Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence to the Kingdom,thereby altering the balance of power in Middle East, The National Interesthas claimed.
The roots of this deepened cooperation trace back decades, with Pakistanproviding military training and personnel to Saudi Arabia since the 1960s.Estimates suggest thousands of Saudi troops have benefited from Pakistaniexpertise over the years, fostering interoperability and trust. SaudiArabia, in turn, has offered substantial economic support to Pakistanduring crises, including oil credits and financial aid that helpedstabilize Islamabad’s economy amid debt pressures. The 2025 pactinstitutionalizes these ties, shifting from informal arrangements to aformal framework aimed at enhancing joint deterrence. A joint statementemphasized shared commitment to regional peace and security, highlightingIslamic solidarity and strategic interests as foundational elements.
Central to discussions surrounding the agreement is the potential extensionof Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities to Saudi Arabia. Pakistani DefenseMinister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, in public remarks shortly after thesigning, indicated that Pakistan’s nuclear assets and overall militarycapabilities could be made available under the pact if required. A seniorSaudi official, speaking anonymously to international media, described theaccord as comprehensive, encompassing all military means available to bothnations. While the full treaty text remains undisclosed, this language hasfueled speculation about an implicit nuclear umbrella, particularly givenSaudi Arabia’s long-standing concerns over Iran’s regional ambitions andnuclear pursuits.
The timing of the pact has drawn significant attention, occurring just daysafter Israeli airstrikes targeted locations in Doha, Qatar, in earlySeptember 2025. These actions heightened anxieties among Gulf statesregarding the reliability of external security guarantees, particularlyfrom the United States, amid perceptions of Washington’s unpredictableforeign policy. Many analysts view the agreement as a hedging strategy,allowing Riyadh to diversify its defense options beyond traditionalalliances. Pakistan, facing its own security challenges including tensionswith India, gains from strengthened economic lifelines and diplomaticleverage in the Muslim world through this partnership.
From Pakistan’s perspective, the accord represents a strategic victory. Itreinforces Islamabad’s role as a key player in Muslim-majority securityarchitecture and potentially deters adversaries by signaling broadersupport networks. Pakistani officials have likened the mutual defenseclause to NATO’s Article 5, though without the institutional mechanisms andsafeguards that characterize the transatlantic alliance. Unlike NATO, whichfeatures parliamentary oversight and collective decision-making protocolsdeveloped over decades, this bilateral pact relies on ambiguity to maintainflexibility while projecting strength.
Saudi Arabia’s motivations appear multifaceted, combining defensiveimperatives with economic pragmatism. The Kingdom has invested heavily inPakistan’s infrastructure and military modernization, viewing thepartnership as essential for countering threats from Yemen’s Houthimovement and broader Iranian influence. The agreement strengthens jointexercises, intelligence sharing, and potential technology transfers, allwhile avoiding explicit commitments that could provoke internationalbacklash. Some observers note that Saudi Arabia’s economic mightcomplements Pakistan’s military prowess, creating a symbiotic relationshipthat benefits both in an era of multipolar geopolitics.
Critics question the pact’s practical enforceability, pointing toasymmetries in capabilities and interests. Pakistan’s nuclear doctrineremains primarily focused on its rivalry with India, and extendingdeterrence to distant Saudi Arabia would carry enormous risks. SaudiArabia, meanwhile, maintains growing economic ties with other powers,including India, which could complicate full activation of the defenseclause in South Asian conflicts. Experts argue the agreement serves more asa political signal of solidarity than a rigid military obligation, withresponses calibrated case-by-case to avoid unintended escalation.
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The pact has implications beyond the bilateral sphere, influencing dynamicsacross South Asia and the Middle East. It raises concerns in New Delhiabout potential complications in any future India-Pakistan confrontation,while in the Gulf it underscores a shift toward regional self-reliance.Some Pakistani leaders have hinted at openness to other nations joining,potentially evolving the arrangement into a broader collective securityframework. This development reflects broader trends where states seekalternative partnerships amid doubts over great-power reliability.
In conclusion, the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement marks a significantevolution in Pakistan-Saudi relations, driven by shared threats and mutualdependencies. While debates persist over its nuclear dimensions andlong-term enforceability, the pact undeniably strengthens deterrence in twovolatile regions. As both nations navigate an uncertain global landscape,this accord could serve as a model for emerging security architectures inthe Muslim world, balancing traditional alliances with new strategicrealities.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/saudi-arabia-nuclear-armed-pakistan-sign-mutual-defence-pact-2025-09-17/
Tags: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, Mohammedbin Salman, Khawaja Mohammad Asif
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