Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan declares that an attack on one will be treated as an attack on both. ISLAMABAD/RIYADH — September 17, 2025: The pact establishes comprehensive military cooperation, ensures joint deterrence, and elevates their long-standing defense ties into a formal regional security pact. Analysts note that it also carries a potential nuclear umbrella / nuclear dimension, signaling a significant realignment in regional security dynamics.
Formalizing Long-Standing Defense Ties
The agreement was signed in Riyadh during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pakistan Army Chief and senior military officials also attended the ceremony, underscoring the defense-heavy nature of the accord.
Both nations share long-standing defense ties, with Pakistan providing military training & exercises for Saudi forces and Riyadh extending financial and energy support to Islamabad. The new pact institutionalizes this cooperation into a binding alliance.
Deeply touched by the heart warming welcome, accorded to me by my dear brother HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on my official visit to Riyadh.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 18, 2025
From the unprecedented escort provided to my aircraft by the Royal Saudi airforce jets… pic.twitter.com/RZvkOSQbF1
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Joint Deterrence and Nuclear Dimension
The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement lays the foundation for joint deterrence against external threats. While the text avoids explicit references to nuclear weapons, analysts note that Saudi Arabia could benefit from Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella / nuclear dimension, adding significant weight to the pact.
Regional Context and U.S. Reliability Concerns
The signing comes against a backdrop of regional instability, including a recent Israeli airstrike in Doha that heightened security anxieties across the Gulf. Analysts also point to growing U.S. reliability concerns, as Gulf states increasingly question Washington’s ability to provide lasting security guarantees.
Saudi officials, however, emphasized that the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement reflects strategic signaling and the culmination of more than a year of dialogue, rather than a direct reaction to any single event.
Balance with India
India, Pakistan long-standing rival, reacted cautiously, saying it would closely monitor the agreement. Riyadh reassured that the deal does not affect its broader ties with New Delhi, reflecting an effort to maintain a careful balance with India even as it deepens military commitments with Pakistan.
Why This Matters
| Key Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Strengthened Security | The pact establishes a stronger guarantee of collective defense under the principle of “attack on one, attack on both.” |
| Strategic Realignment | By formalizing a regional security pact, Saudi Arabia signals reduced dependence on U.S. guarantees. |
| Nuclear Dimension | Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella—though not officially stated—adds symbolic and strategic weight. |
| Joint Deterrence | Institutionalized military cooperation enhances readiness and deterrence against external threats. |
| Regional Impact | The agreement reshapes Gulf and South Asian security calculations, compelling India, Iran, and other regional players to reassess their strategies. |
