Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Defense Pact

Islamabad, Pakistan – On September 18, 2025, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic mutual defense agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh, a significant moment in their longstanding relationship.

The agreement, which emphasizes a shared commitment to security and regional peace, was announced in a ceremony at the Royal Court in Al-Yamamah Palace, attended by key officials from both nations. This bilateral pact marks nearly eight decades of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Muslim world’s only nuclear-armed nation.

Regional politics have shifted dramatically in light of Israel’s aggressive actions in recent years, including attacks in Gaza and neighboring countries. The recent Israeli assault on Qatar has intensified tensions in the Middle East, prompting many Gulf nations to reconsider their security strategies.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the agreement signifies their united stance against potential aggression. “Any act of aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both,” the ministry declared.

Asfandyar Mir, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., described the deal as historic, noting that Pakistan had not had a formal mutual defense pact since its partnerships with the United States during the Cold War dissolved in the 1970s.

Experts like Muhammad Faisal from the University of Technology Sydney view the agreement as a framework for future defense collaborations between Pakistan and other Gulf states like the UAE and Qatar. “This pact consolidates current defense cooperation and will potentially extend military training and troop deployments,” Faisal said.

Historically, Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan after its 1947 independence. The two nations established a “Treaty of Friendship” in 1951, initiating decades of military and economic collaboration.

As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, officials in India have acknowledged the pact’s signing, stating they will monitor its implications for national security. “The government remains committed to protecting India’s interests,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The defense agreement may alter regional dynamics further, adding pressure on relations between all involved nations, including Iran and the United States. Analysts suggest that the agreement indicates a shifting balance in the security landscape of the Gulf and South Asia.

“The pact illustrates Saudi Arabia’s enduring support for Pakistan, especially during times of heightened military activity,” said Faisal. However, the implications of this agreement and how it will affect Pakistan’s relations with both Iran and India remain to be seen.