- Israeli strike on Doha raised regional alarm
- Gulf states growing skeptical about U.S. dependability
- Saudi minister states that action is not in reaction to particular occurrences
DUBAI/ISLAMABAD, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia and nuclear Pakistan inked a formal mutual defense accord on Wednesday, in an action which significantly enhances a decades-long security alliance amid increased regional tension.
The upgraded defense ties follow Gulf Arab nations becoming ever more cautious about the United States as their long-time security provider. Israel’s bombing of Qatar last week raised those apprehensions.
This is a product of years of negotiations. This is not because of particular countries or particular incidents but an institutionalization of long-standing and profound cooperation between our two nations,” a senior Saudi official said in response to a question about its timing.
Israel’s effort to assassinate Hamas political leaders with Doha airstrikes, as they negotiated a ceasefire plan that Qatar is facilitating, outraged Arab states.
The agreement may realign strategic thinking in a tumultuous region. Washington’s Gulf allies have tried to stabilise relations with Iran and Israel alike in order to address long-standing security issues.
But the Gaza war has turned the region on its head and Gulf state Qatar has been hit directly twice in twelve months, once by Iran and once by Israel.
The Saudi deal follows several months after Pakistan waged a limited military war with arch-rival India in May.
India’s ministry of external affairs spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on social media website X on Thursday that India was aware of the development, adding it would study its implications for New Delhi’s security and for regional stability.
The senior Saudi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the need to balance relations with Pakistan’s rival, India, also a nuclear power.
Our relationship with India is stronger than ever before. We will keep building this relationship and try to make our contribution towards regional peace in any possible manner.”`
Pakistan Saudi Arabia Defence pact 2025
Referring to whether Pakistan would be bound under the agreement to offer Saudi Arabia a nuclear umbrella, the official stated: This is a comprehensive defense agreement that includes all military means.
Pakistani state television broadcast Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, hugging after the signing of the accord. Present at the event was Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is Pakistan’s most influential individual.
This accord, which is the common resolve of the two countries to increase their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, is seeking to build elements of defense cooperation between the two nations and enhance mutual deterrence against any act of aggression. According to the accord, any act of aggression against one country will be considered an aggression against both,” a press statement from the office of the Pakistani prime minister stated.
