Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Mutual Defense Deal

ISLAMABAD/RIYADH — September 17, 2025

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a powerful new defense agreement that says if either country is attacked, the other will treat it as an attack on both.

The deal was made during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both countries released a joint statement confirming that the agreement will help strengthen defense ties and improve security cooperation between them.

This is a big step in their already strong relationship. While the exact details weren’t made public, the agreement includes military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint efforts to respond to threats.

What Does the Defense Deal Include?

The main point of the agreement is simple: if one country faces an external attack, the other will step in to help.

Although the statement didn’t talk about nuclear weapons, some experts believe the wording especially the phrase "all military means"  might suggest deeper cooperation, considering Pakistan has nuclear capabilities.

This agreement makes their military relationship more formal. In the past, both countries worked together, but now they have made it official. This could lead to joint military training and exercises in the future.

Why Is This Deal Important?

This move could change how security works in both the Middle East and South Asia.

Saudi Arabia wants to rely more on trusted regional partners, rather than depending only on countries like the United States. With increasing tensions in the region especially after recent conflicts in places like Qatar Saudi Arabia sees Pakistan as a strong and dependable ally.

Other countries like India, Iran, and Israel may take this deal seriously. While Saudi Arabia has close ties with India too, this defense agreement shows that Riyadh is preparing for all kinds of regional threats.

What Happens Next?

Leaders in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are calling this deal a major milestone. It’s seen as a strong message of unity and commitment between the two nations.

India has responded by saying it is watching the situation closely and will take necessary steps to protect its interests.

Experts think this agreement could lead to joint military activities and closer defense planning between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. It might also lead to other Muslim countries exploring similar partnerships in the future.

We’ll have to wait and see how this deal shapes military cooperation in the region and what it means for long-term peace and stability.