Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic Mutual Defence Pact Strengthening Regional Security Cooperation

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia recently signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), formalizing their longstanding military cooperation and marking the first formal mutual defence treaty Saudi Arabia has with a Muslim-majority country. The agreement commits both nations to treat aggression against either as aggression against both, signaling a significant realignment in regional security dynamics amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia. For Saudi Arabia, the pact offers reassurance amid perceived waning U.S. security guarantees, while for Pakistan, it strengthens deterrence against India and underscores its strategic importance. The deal includes expanded joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, technology transfer, and deeper collaboration in counter-terrorism, combining Pakistan's military and nuclear capabilities with Saudi Arabia's defense resources. Economically, the agreement is expected to spur investments and aid, including deferred oil payments and support for infrastructure projects in Pakistan, potentially stabilizing its economy. The pact has raised concerns in India, which views it as a direct threat to its security, given the historical tensions and recent conflicts between India and Pakistan, highlighting broader geopolitical implications for the region.