Overview

• Signed in Riyadh on September 17, the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement commits each country to treat aggression against the other as an attack on both.
• Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, said the kingdom would have access to Pakistan’s full capabilities, including its nuclear deterrent.
• Asif indicated the pact could widen to include additional Arab states, saying the “doors are not closed” to expansion.
• India responded cautiously, with its foreign ministry saying it expects Saudi Arabia to keep in mind “mutual interests and sensitivities.”
• Eurasia Group’s Ian Bremmer assessed that the United States likely knew of the pact and did not strongly object, while analysts questioned Pakistan’s capacity to sustain new commitments and noted debate over possible Chinese influence.