Riyadh/Islamabad (September 18, 2025) — Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh, marking one of the most significant military pacts between the two nations in recent decades.
The agreement was formalized at the Al-Yamamah Palace during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Saudi Arabia. The deal commits both countries to view any external aggression against one as an attack on both, effectively strengthening their collective security posture.
Key Provisions of the Pact
- Mutual Defence Commitment: Both nations pledged to support each other militarily in case of external aggression.
- Enhanced Defence Cooperation: The pact outlines closer collaboration in training, intelligence-sharing, and joint military exercises.
- Peace and Stability Clause: Leaders emphasized that the deal is aimed at preserving peace in the Islamic world and ensuring stability in the broader Middle East and South Asia.
Regional and Global Reactions
The agreement has drawn widespread attention due to its potential impact on regional geopolitics.
- Israel: Analysts believe the pact complicates prospects for Saudi–Israel normalization, as Riyadh’s alignment with Pakistan — a country without diplomatic ties to Israel — makes future engagement more sensitive.
- United States: Washington has historically served as a key security partner for Riyadh. While the US is expected to maintain its ties, the pact signals that Gulf states are increasingly exploring alternative security partnerships.
- India: New Delhi has reacted cautiously, stating it is “closely monitoring the development.” India maintains strong economic and energy ties with Saudi Arabia but remains wary of Pakistan’s closer alignment with the Kingdom.
Why It Matters
This pact could reshape alliances in both the Middle East and South Asia. For Pakistan, it strengthens its standing with one of the wealthiest Gulf states. For Saudi Arabia, it represents an opportunity to diversify its security partnerships at a time of shifting global power dynamics.
Observers note that while the agreement stops short of explicitly extending Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia, its ambiguity alone adds a new layer to regional deterrence.
Looking Ahead
Both governments presented the pact as a step toward greater regional peace rather than confrontation. However, the move is likely to intensify strategic calculations for countries like India, Israel, and the United States, which now face a more coordinated Saudi–Pakistani security partnership.
