What happened ?
On 17th September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enhanced their relations by entering into a deal by signing the Strategic Mutual Defence Pact. Which was laid down on the principle of AGGRESSION AGAINST ONE WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AGGRESSION AGAINST BOTH. The pact symbolizing the deepened partnership between both the nations correlating the security dimensions and geopolitical dynamics was signed in Riyadh by the heads of both nations- Pakistani Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The engagement reflects the tactic of collective security. The landscape of international security in the 21st century has been evolving and changing due to Power Dynamics, Shifting Alliances, Minilateralism, Gray-zone tactics and the rise of Strategic Co-operation with ulterior motives (Khan, M.A. 2025). The pact marks a tectonic shift in West Asian Security. Every actor gets benefits in regard to their national interest. On one hand it enhances Saudi's deterrence posture while on other hand it strengthens Pakistan's strategic leverage in the Gulf. The pact though not clearly but has been visible enough to depict the motive of nations. The world is aware about the nuclear armed angle of Saudi Arabia and Financial aid diplomatic relevance of Pakistan. The reason behind other nations eye on the pact is the concerning security of their nation. The security calculus has been hindered and it deeply affects India, Iran and Israel. Above all lies the disturbing motives of U.S and Chinese strategic interest which through continuous engagement tries to acquire a hold in the Middle East and on periphery nations (Korybko, A. 2025). The pact is threatening because of its unclear position of not just providing nuclear power but blurring the conventional defence co-operation among nations complicating the global non-proliferation norms (Cordesman, A. H. 2025).
Why did it happen ?
Many drivers exist which convert the already existing ties into strategic and fraternal ties. The pact initially intends to diversify Saudi's security which refuses to rely on the U.S and signals to regional rivals majorly Iran and Israel that it is capable of gaining external support on its own. Pakistan aiming to web the nuclear deterrence has brought the pact into limelight ( Amir et al., 2025). The landscape of geopolitical strains has been varying along with time in Middle East. And many of them are responsible for changing the language of the pact. Israel's stamp of outright, often unchallenged, military superiority, and the state's decision to strike Hamas played a pivotal role in changing actions. Saudi Arabia does not have a shortage of funds unlike Pakistan but still lacks a capable military for the battlefield. The 7 october terror attacks, war in gaza, future nuclear Iran, 12 day war and others have been behind the mindset of Saudi to join hands with Pakistan for their lacking and by providing them the unexpected economic and strategic lifeline they required which threatens India directly because of the cross border terrorism Pakistan is fond of performing (Observer Research Foundation, 2025).
Why does it matter ?
The pact is no longer an ignorable event. After the signing and the working process according to their pact - Pakistan the immediate neighbor of India has been considered as an extension of the Middle East, the recognition which it never gained in the past 20 years despite being a muslim state and member of multiple islamic forums (ORF, 2025 ). The Defence pact created a new kind of complexity in south asia especially for India. Pakistan's security strategy has revolved around counterbalancing India's conventional superiority, but the entrance of Saudi Arabia changed the dimensions by bringing symbolic reinforcement. The threat to India's strategic flexibility has increased due to the pact. Prevention of strategic isolation has been visible by compelling India to reassess its regional diplomacy, military modernization priorities and interaction with major Gulf partners (Khan, 2025; Malik & Rehman,2025).
What next ?
The pact deepens the institutionalized Saudi-Pakistan military relations which further threatens to recalibrate the balance testing Riyadh's capability of maintaining neutrality during future South Asian engagements. India therefore has successfully registered its relations with the Gulf in a scrutinized manner to get rid of the Pakistan factor , building robust energy, economic and defense ties like the AL Mohed AL Hindi naval exercises. India needs to ensure the bilateral relationship with Riyadh for future economic and technological transfers and ignoring Pakistan prism. India also looks out for re-engagement with regional actors such as Iran and participates in minilateral frameworks to ensure the security of maritime and security interests (Drishti IAS, 2025). India should also offer for co-development of missile technologies, cyber warfare systems and space technology to Saudi so that they realize the potential of India which Pakistan cannot provide (Embassy of India, 2026).
References:-
Ali, Mukhtiar & Khaliq, Mazhar & Durrani, Hannan. (2026). Realignment in the Middle East: Assessing The Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) and its Implications for Gulf Order. Annals of Human and Social Sciences. 7.
https://doi.org/10.35484/ahss.2026(7-III)23
Khan, M. A. (2025). Regional power politics and the shifting security balance in South Asia. Journal of Strategic Studies, 44(3), 120–135.
Korybko, A. (2025). Multipolarity and the geopolitics of new defense pacts. Eurasian Geostrategic Review, 14(1), 71–9
https://pjssrjournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/download/227/229
Cordesman, A. H. (2025). Regional deterrence and nuclear risk in the Middle East: Policy implications for Washington. Center for Strategic and International Studies Report, 1–28.
https://pjssrjournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/download/227/229
Malik, A. R. (2025). Civil–military relations and foreign policy alignment in Pakistan. Asian Security Review, 18(1), 33–47.
Embassy of India.
Observer Research Foundation.
Amir et al., 2025.
https://pjssrjournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/227
The views expressed above belong to the author(s).