Thu Sep 18 07:00:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,’ which stipulates that an attack on one country is considered an attack on both. While Pakistan views this as a strategic deterrent against India and a boost to their relationship after a period of cooling ties, experts believe the pact is primarily targeted towards sending a message to Israel amidst rising tensions in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has been quick to downplay any impact on its robust relationship with India, a major trading partner. Analysts suggest the agreement is more about projecting a united Islamic front and potentially leveraging Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities against Israel, rather than a commitment to defend Pakistan against India. There are concerns that the agreement could draw Pakistan into Saudi Arabia’s regional conflicts, particularly with Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The pact is seen as a strategic move in response to growing regional instability and concerns about the reliability of the US as a security guarantor in the face of increasing Israeli activity in the region.

**News Article:**

**Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Defence Pact, Experts See Signal to Israel Over India**

**Islamabad/Riyadh** – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have formalised security cooperation with the signing of a ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,’ stating that any aggression against one nation will be considered an attack on both.

While Pakistani officials hail the agreement as a major diplomatic victory and a deterrent against potential threats from India, analysts suggest the pact is primarily a signal to Israel, amidst rising tensions in the Middle East.

The agreement follows recent attacks in the region, including a recent strike in Qatar, believed to be carried out by Israel, targeting Hamas leadership. These attacks have raised concerns among Gulf Arab states about the reliability of the US as their primary security guarantor.

“The timing of this agreement is significant,” said geopolitical analyst Dr Bilal Afzal. “It’s less about providing Pakistan a shield against India and more about projecting a united front of the broader Islamic bloc in response to growing Israeli activity.”

Saudi Arabia has been quick to distance the agreement from any impact on its strong ties with India. “Our relationship with India is more robust than it has ever been,” a senior Saudi official told Reuters, emphasizing the countries’ substantial bilateral trade and socio-cultural ties.

Experts note that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to risk its relationship with India, its fourth-largest trading partner, over a conflict with Pakistan. Instead, the agreement is seen as potentially drawing Pakistan into Saudi Arabia’s ongoing regional conflicts, particularly with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have previously launched attacks on Saudi territory.

There is also speculation that the agreement is linked to Saudi Arabia’s long-standing interest in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program, with some analysts suggesting it could pave the way for a nuclear security umbrella for Riyadh.

The agreement highlights the shifting dynamics in the Middle East and the growing concerns among Arab nations about regional security, particularly in the face of perceived Israeli aggression and questions over the United States’ commitment to the region. While celebrated in Pakistan as a sign of strengthened ties with a long-time ally, the true implications of the pact appear to be more nuanced and strategically focused on addressing broader regional challenges.

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