Saudi Arabia and Pakistan formalise historic mutual defence agreement
- A Landmark Defense Agreement
- The Agreement Details and Signatories
- Geopolitical Implications and Reactions
- Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Nuclear Factor
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign the most important mutual defence agreement in the history of both states. Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons ensures that the Arab country will remain under the ‘Pakistani nuclear umbrella’ amid fears over the development of Iran's atomic programme.
The pact was signed in Riyadh during the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who received military honours before meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohamed bin Salman at the Qasr Al Yamama Royal Palace. The signing was also attended by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, considered the most powerful person in the country, and Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Khalid bin Salman.
‘This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen their security and contribute to peace and security in the region and the world, aims to develop areas of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,’ said the official statement issued by the Pakistani Prime Minister's office.
A Landmark Defense Agreement
Riyadh and Islamabad thus seal years of good relations. The Saudi kingdom's close economic, religious and security ties with Pakistan have led to the first defence agreement by a Gulf country since Israel's attack on Doha on 9 September. Saudi Arabia is thus ahead of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's proposal to create an Arab alliance similar to NATO.
For analysts of the geopolitical landscape in the Gulf, the agreement marks a turning point for Saudi Arabia's security and raises the question of whether Islamabad will be willing to use its nuclear weapons in the event of a possible attack on Saudi Arabia, given that they did not respond to this question during the press conference following the signing of the agreement. ‘This is a comprehensive defensive agreement covering all military means,’ they replied.
The Agreement Details
The signing of the agreement has sparked controversy in India and Iran as a result of the latest actions between Pakistan and India in Kashmir.
For Iran and Saudi Arabia, the problem lies in issues of power and influence, which was exacerbated by recent statements by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in which he assured that Riyadh would enter the nuclear arms race if Iran were proven to possess the atomic bomb. However, Saudi Arabia's membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty would cast doubt on Mohammed bin Salman's ambitions.
Geopolitical Implications and Reactions
Before the pact was signed, Iran decided to send Ali Larijani, secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council, to visit Saudi Arabia. According to analysts at CNN and the Associated Press, this gesture has led Riyadh to acknowledge Iran's intentions to reach an agreement with Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia has asked the United States for assistance in developing a civil nuclear energy plan, partly due to a diplomatic recognition agreement with Israel that had been discussed before the Hamas attack in 2023. This could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its territory, which is causing concern among non-proliferation specialists, as centrifuges could facilitate the start of a possible weapons programme.
Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Nuclear Factor
Faced with the possible escalation of tensions, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 'the agreement is the culmination of years of negotiations. It is not a response to specific countries or events, but rather the institutionalisation of deep and lasting cooperation between our two countries.' These statements respond to comments made by Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal, who said that 'India was aware of the development' and added that it would 'study its implications for New Delhi's security and regional stability.'