Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have entered into a historic Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, committing to stand by each other in the event of external aggression. The pact, signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Riyadh, is being seen as a major step in formalising decades of military cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement was made through a joint statement after Sharif’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to the statement, the accord reflects a shared resolve to strengthen defense cooperation, build collective deterrence, and contribute to peace and security in the region and beyond.
Crucially, the agreement stipulates that any attack on one signatory will be regarded as an attack on both, marking a shift from informal security understandings to a binding framework. A senior Saudi official described the pact as the culmination of “years of discussions” rather than a response to any specific crisis. While the official stressed that it covers “all military means,” he declined to confirm whether Pakistan’s nuclear capability is part of the arrangement.
The signing comes shortly after an emergency joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in response to Israel’s September 9 strike on Doha targeting senior Hamas leaders. However, Saudi officials insisted the new pact is not directly linked to that development.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing defense relationship, with Islamabad having trained more than 8,200 Saudi military personnel since 1967. The two countries have also conducted several joint exercises over the years.
India’s Reaction
Reacting to the announcement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged that it had been aware of discussions on the agreement. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi would carefully assess the implications of the pact.
“We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability. The government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains,” Jaiswal said.
At the same time, a senior Saudi official reaffirmed Riyadh’s strengthening ties with India, calling the relationship “more robust than it has ever been” despite the defense alignment with Pakistan.
The pact is widely regarded as a milestone in Pakistan–Saudi relations, signalling a new phase of institutionalised security cooperation while adding a fresh dimension to the strategic landscape of South Asia and the Gulf region.