Any Attack on One, War for Both: Saudi-Pakistan Seal Mutual Defense Pact

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have inked a mutual defense pact, pledging that any attack on one nation will be treated as an assault on both. The agreement, signed on Wednesday in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his state visit, marks a significant escalation of their decades-long security collaboration, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

The pact is designed to bolster defense cooperation and enhance joint deterrence strategies against potential threats. For years, the two countries have engaged in joint military exercises, fostering a strong military bond. This new formal alliance aligns with their shared efforts to strengthen relations with the administration of US President Donald Trump, potentially positioning them as key partners in broader geopolitical maneuvers.

However, the agreement carries substantial risks, particularly for Saudi Arabia, which could now be drawn into longstanding conflicts between Pakistan and India. The South Asian rivals have clashed in four major wars, with tensions boiling over as recently as May in fierce exchanges involving jet dogfights, drone incursions, missile launches, and artillery barrages along their contested border. Analysts warn that this pact might complicate Saudi Arabia's delicate balancing act in the region, especially given its economic and diplomatic ties with India.

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The timing of the pact is noteworthy, coming on the heels of an Israeli airstrike this month targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, which has frayed relations between the US and vital Middle East allies like Israel and Qatar. Several Arab leaders have publicly denounced the strike, casting doubt on the reliability of American security assurances and prompting a reevaluation of alliances. This Saudi-Pakistani defense accord could signal a shift toward more independent regional security frameworks, amid growing skepticism toward Western guarantees.

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