Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement: “Attack on One Is Attack on Both”
On September 17, 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh, pledging that “an attack on one will be treated as an attack on both.” The pact marks a historic deepening of bilateral security ties, with profound implications for the Middle East, South Asia, and global geopolitics.
The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), and Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir, underlining both the civilian and military weight behind the deal.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
According to official statements and reporting, the pact includes the following central commitments:
- Mutual defence clause: Any external attack on Pakistan or Saudi Arabia will be considered an attack on both, obligating a joint response.
- Military cooperation: Expanded collaboration in training, joint exercises, intelligence-sharing, and defence production.
- Counterterrorism partnership: Enhanced mechanisms for combating terrorism and extremism.
- Strategic coordination: Regular high-level defence consultations to align policies and responses to regional crises.
While the exact legal text has not been released publicly, analysts suggest the agreement carries similarities to Article 5 of NATO but is tailored bilaterally to the strategic needs of Riyadh and Islamabad.
Why This Agreement Matters
1. Pakistan–Saudi Defence History
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share decades of security cooperation. Pakistani troops were stationed in the Kingdom in the 1970s–80s, and Riyadh has long provided financial support to Islamabad. This pact, however, institutionalizes the relationship at an unprecedented level.
2. Pakistan’s Strategic Value
Pakistan is the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, a factor that adds weight to any defence pact it signs. Even if nuclear sharing is not explicitly mentioned, speculation in regional media suggests the pact could raise Israeli and Western concerns about extended deterrence.
3. Saudi Arabia’s Regional Recalibration
Riyadh has been recalibrating its foreign policy — balancing ties with the US, China, and regional rivals. This pact signals that Saudi Arabia is diversifying its security umbrella, no longer relying solely on Washington for its defence.
Role of Key Leaders
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the pact “a new era of brotherly defence cooperation.”
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described it as “a guarantee of security and stability for both nations and the region.”
- Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, was present, underlining the military’s central role in shaping Islamabad’s Gulf strategy.
The joint civilian–military delegation from Pakistan highlighted the unity of purpose behind the pact, unlike past agreements where political and military leadership sometimes diverged.
Impact on Middle East Politics
1. Shift in Security Architecture
This agreement may reshape the regional balance of power. Saudi Arabia, traditionally reliant on the US, now has a parallel security guarantee with a nuclear-armed ally.
2. Implications for Israel
For Israel, the pact introduces a new layer of complexity.
- On one hand, Israel has been deepening security ties with Gulf states under the Abraham Accords.
- On the other, a Pakistan–Saudi military alignment could be perceived as a latent threat, particularly if speculation grows around nuclear deterrence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
The Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement represents more than just a bilateral pact — it signals a seismic shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. With its “attack on one is attack on both” clause, the deal pushes Pakistan firmly into Gulf security calculations and gives Saudi Arabia a new security guarantor beyond Washington.
Whether this leads to greater stability through deterrence, or heightened risk of confrontation with rivals such as Iran and Israel, will depend on how the pact is implemented in practice.
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