Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Mutual-Defense Pact

Overview

• The leaders signed the agreement in Riyadh on September 17 during Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, formalizing their partnership at a new institutional level.
• The Saudi Press Agency reported that any aggression against one country will be treated as aggression against both.
• A senior Saudi official said the pact covers all military means when asked about a nuclear umbrella, while the public text provides no nuclear language and omits operational details.
• The announcement followed Israel’s September 9 strikes in Doha, an episode that heightened Gulf security concerns.
• Saudi Arabia’s extensive commercial ties with India remain a key constraint on how far this security alignment can extend.