Saudi Arabia & Pakistan: from friend with benefits to strategic marriage.
The defence treaty between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reflects growing distrust in American protection and a search for alternative alliances.
The Facts
On 17 September in Riyadh, a wedding of sorts took place between two old friends.
Standing before the flash of photographers were Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Instead of wedding rings, the two leaders exchanged a document with a grand title: the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.
The wording evokes the great treaties of the 20th century: an attack on one of the two countries will be considered an attack on both.
Historical Context
The pact should come as no surprise: ties between the two nations are nothing new.
Pakistan has historically provided military training, strategic advice, and defence cooperation to Saudi Arabia.
In return, Riyadh has repeatedly opened the taps of its oil and cash reserves, coming to Islamabad’s aid during times of crisis.
In the 1980s, Saudi funds are believed to have contributed – directly or indirectly – to Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Until now, however, the bond between the two Islamic nations, while close, remained informal. The treaty signed in September makes it explicit and strengthened.
A Nuclear Umbrella?
That this is more than just a formalisation was confirmed just hours later by Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
He stated that Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia under the agreement.
He later sought to cool the rhetoric, clarifying that “nuclear weapons are not on the radar” of the deal.
The full text of the treaty has not been made public, and official statements omit detailed clauses on operational procedures, limitations, or conditions for intervention.
Another Pakistani minister, Musadiq Malik, described the agreement as “NATO-style”, covering a “comprehensive spectrum” of cooperation – including technology, exercises, intelligence, and training – but sidestepped the issue of nuclear deterrence.
It remains to be seen what kind of response Islamabad would be willing to deliver in a real crisis.
Regardless, the symbolic impact is considerable.
Why the Treaty?
Why have Saudi Arabia and Pakistan decided to elevate their partnership? For the answer, look at Washington.
Riyadh has for years harboured doubts about the reliability of the American security umbrella.
The strongest signal came in 2019, when Houthi forces struck the Abqaiq and Khurais refineries –the beating heart of Saudi oil production. The attack knocked out half of the kingdom’s output for several days.
The US response was seen as weak: no raids, no significant retaliation. A wake-up call for Riyadh.
The recent Israeli raid on Doha further confirmed the point: even when a Gulf ally is under attack, Washington may not be able – or willing – to offer full protection.
It’s no coincidence that Qatar has, for some time, developed military ties with Turkey to offset its vulnerability.
This is the logic behind the pact: not a farewell to America, but a message.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its security guarantees, supplementing its traditional alliance with new partnerships and reducing its exclusive reliance on Washington.
For Pakistan, it means boosting its international standing and asserting itself as a power player in the Middle East – becoming a more complex web of regional relationships.
What Are the Consequences?
The consequences will not be long in coming.
India has responded with caution, expressing concern and urging Riyadh to consider “mutual interests and sensitivities”. Nevertheless, its historic rival now has a stronger foothold in the Gulf, a region where India has strong economic and security interests.
The United States sees yet another crack in the security architecture it has maintained in the region for decades, resulting in a loss of influence.
Israel watches as the prospect of expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia drifts further away.
Iran – despite recent thawing with Riyadh and its recent good relations with Islamabad – may find new motivation to accelerate its own nuclear programme.
Other Gulf nations could soon follow Saudi Arabia’s lead, seeking new security guarantors in an era where the American umbrella is no longer enough.
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