Defence Pact Between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

General Studies Paper-2

Context

• Recently, Pakistan signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, India has said that it was aware of the development and reiterated its commitment to “comprehensive national security”.

About

• Background of Meeting: The agreement was signed in the aftermath of an emergency summit of Arab and Muslim nations hosted by Qatar following Israel’s military strikes against Hamas leaders.
• The meeting brought together almost 60 countries that are members of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• The Pact: Called the “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” states that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”.
  • It aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.

Rationale Behind the Pact

• Timing of the agreement: The pact is seen as a message to Israel, coming after Israel attacked Qatar targeting Hamas leadership.
• Regional alarm: Israel’s expanding operations across Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and now Qatar have worried Arab nations.
• US credibility questioned: The attack, allegedly backed by the U.S.A, made Gulf states doubt the US as a reliable security guarantor.
• Nuclear Weapon Fear: Gulf states are aware that Israel is the only nuclear-armed nation in the Middle East, increasing their sense of vulnerability.
• Islamic solidarity: The Saudi–Pakistan pact projects unity within the broader Islamic bloc.

India’s Reaction

• The Ministry of External Affairs said that it was aware that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had been considering such a pact.
• India responded by saying that it will study the implications of this development for 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.

Major Geopolitical Implication

• Historic move: It is Pakistan’s most consequential defence pact in decades, also offering both strategic and economic benefits to it.
• Impact on India ties: The pact may affect India–Saudi Arabia’s growing strategic and economic relations.
  • Institutional role: It formalizes Pakistan’s position in West Asia’s security architecture, giving it more strategic weight.
• Arms acquisition: Pakistan can access US weapons using Saudi funding, as Washington seems willing to sell.
• Conflict entanglement: Instead of benefiting Pakistan, the pact may drag it into prolonged Middle Eastern wars.

Conclusion

• The defence agreement seems a posturing exercise, and more about Israel than India.
• Thus, in reality, the agreement may bind Pakistan more closely to Saudi Arabia’s regional battles in the Middle East rather than providing it a guaranteed shield against any bilateral escalation.