Saudi Arabia signs mutual defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan

In a move diluting Saudi Arabia's longstanding security dependence on the United States, the kingdom signed a mutual defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan nearly a week after ‘Israel’ struck Qatar's capital, Doha, raising questions about the timing of the agreement.

The new defense pact comes despite Trump assuring Doha that an ‘Israeli’ strike won’t happen again as Gulf Arab states grow increasingly wary of the United States. 

A senior Saudi official told Reuters that the agreement “is a culmination of years of discussion. This is not a response to specific countries or specific events.” 

The official added that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have a “longstanding and deep cooperation.”

For years, the Saudi kingdom maintained close economic, religious, and security ties to Pakistan, with reports suggesting that funds were provided for Islamabad’s nuclear weapons program.

Analysts and Pakistani diplomats have pointed out previously that Saudi Arabia could be included in the nuclear framework, especially as tensions simmer over Iran’s atomic program.

In June, Iran hit Al Udeid air base in Qatar in retaliation for the United States’ strikes on its nuclear facilities. 

The deal was also signed months after Pakistan had a brief military clash with its long standing rival, India. 

India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote on X that India was aware of the development, noting that it would need to study the implications for the country’s security and regional stability.

The senior Saudi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters, acknowledged the need to balance relations with India, also a nuclear power.

"Our relationship with India is more robust than it has ever been. We will continue to grow this relationship and seek to contribute to regional peace whichever way we can."

Asked whether Pakistan would be obliged to provide Saudi Arabia with a nuclear umbrella under the pact, the official said: "This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means."

"This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both," a statement from the Pakistani prime minister's office said.