ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has firmly ruled out Turkey’s participation in itsmutual defence pact with Pakistan, emphasising that the agreement remainsstrictly bilateral in nature. A source close to the Saudi military informedAFP that Turkey will not join the arrangement, directly countering earlierspeculation about a potential trilateral expansion. This development comesamid heightened regional security discussions and underscores Riyadh’sstrategic preference for maintaining distinct partnerships.
The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistanwas formally signed in Riyadh on September 17, 2025, during a high-levelvisit by Pakistani leadership. The pact commits both nations to treataggression against one as a concern for the other, drawing on longstandingmilitary cooperation that includes training, joint exercises, and defenceequipment transfers. Analysts view it as a framework to enhance deterrencein the Gulf and South Asia without creating automatic military obligationsakin to NATO’s Article 5.
Earlier in January 2026, reports from Bloomberg indicated that Turkey wasengaged in advanced negotiations to join the existing Saudi-Pakistan pact.These discussions reportedly involved drafting a trilateral agreement, withPakistani officials confirming that a preliminary version had circulatedamong the three capitals. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledgedexploratory talks, highlighting the need for broader regional cooperationto address shared threats such as instability and external pressures.
Despite these indications, Saudi sources have now provided definitiveclarity. The source close to the Saudi military stated explicitly that”Turkey won’t join the defence pact with Pakistan,” dismissing priorreports of ongoing negotiations as inaccurate. The statement stressed thatthe agreement “is a bilateral pact with Pakistan and will remain abilateral pact,” reflecting Riyadh’s intent to preserve the arrangement’sfocused scope.
A separate Gulf official reinforced this position, explaining that the pactconstitutes a dedicated bilateral defensive relationship with Pakistan. Theofficial noted that Saudi Arabia maintains separate common agreements withTurkey but has no intention of merging them into a single trilateralstructure. This distinction avoids potential complications arising fromdiffering strategic priorities among the three nations.
The decision aligns with broader geopolitical considerations in the MiddleEast. Saudi Arabia has pursued multiple defence engagements, includingtalks with other states, while carefully managing alliances to balanceinfluence amid tensions with Iran and evolving dynamics in the Gulf.Pakistan benefits from deepened ties with Riyadh, which provide financialand military support, particularly in light of economic challenges andregional security requirements.
Turkey’s exclusion may stem from Ankara’s NATO membership and itsindependent foreign policy approach. While Turkey has strengthened defenceindustry collaborations with Pakistan and sought closer coordination withGulf states, formal integration into the Saudi-Pakistan framework couldintroduce complexities related to commitments and regional sensitivities.Turkish officials have emphasised flexibility in security arrangementsrather than binding pacts.
The bilateral focus of the Saudi-Pakistan agreement enhances itsoperational viability. It builds on decades of cooperation, includingPakistani training for Saudi forces and Saudi investments in Pakistanidefence capabilities. Recent regional developments, including flare-ups inviolence, have reinforced the need for reliable partnerships that delivertangible security benefits without overextending obligations.
Read Top Stories
Observers note that this clarification reduces speculation about anemerging “Islamic NATO” involving nuclear-capable Pakistan, financiallyrobust Saudi Arabia, and militarily experienced Turkey. Such a bloc hadbeen discussed in analytical circles as potentially reshaping powerbalances from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. However, the Saudistance prioritises targeted bilateralism over expansive multilateralism atthis stage.
Pakistan’s strategic calculus remains centred on diversifying partnershipswhile preserving core alliances. The pact with Saudi Arabia complementsexisting ties with Turkey through separate defence deals and joint venturesin military technology. This layered approach allows Islamabad to navigatecomplex regional dynamics effectively.
The announcement from Saudi sources, reported by AFP on January 31, 2026,provides authoritative closure to recent conjecture. It reaffirms thepact’s bilateral character and signals continuity in Saudi foreign policypreferences amid a fluid security environment.
Source:https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblogentry/turkey-will-not-join-saudi-pakistan-defense-agreement-sources-say
ogimage_image-name
