The recent Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) signed on 17 September at Riyadh’s Al-Yamama Palace between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stirred fresh debate in global strategic circles.
The pact, which states that an attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both, symbolizes not only the deepening bond between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan but also the broader realignment underway in the emerging multipolar world order.
For decades, Pakistan’s security dependence has oscillated between China and the United States, both of whom have provided critical economic and military backing.
But as global alliances shift, Islamabad appears to be reorienting itself toward the Muslim world, seeking strength, legitimacy, and a sense of security rooted in shared faith and strategic interests.
Saudi-Pakistan Ties: Historical and Strategic Roots
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is not new. Pakistani troops defended Saudi territory in the 1960s during the Yemen war. In 1979, Pakistani special forces assisted in quelling the Grand Mosque takeover in Mecca.
The 1982 bilateral security agreement led to Pakistani training for thousands of Saudi soldiers. Financially, too, Riyadh has consistently propped up Pakistan, from providing $3.4 billion after Islamabad’s nuclear tests in 1998 to extending billions more in loans in recent years.
For FY 2025–26, SaudiArabia is expected to offer Pakistan over $6 billion in aid.
Now, under the SMDA, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has even hinted that Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella could, if required, extend to Riyadh—a bold statement that reflects how seriously both nations are trying to cement this new partnership.
India-Pakistan Tensions: A Constant Flashpoint
The Saudi-Pakistan pact comes at a time of heightened India-Pakistan tensions. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025, which killed 26 people, India launched precision missile strikes on Pakistani terror camps and air bases. Pakistan retaliated with drones and artillery but struggled to match India’s superior firepower.
The Global Firepower Index 2025 underscores the imbalance:
- India ranks 4th globally, with a defense budget of $81 billion.
- Pakistan stands at 12th, with $10 billion.
- Saudi Arabia ranks 24th, spending nearly $80 billion—though its capacity relies heavily on imported systems and foreign advisors.
India’s modern Rafale and Sukhoi jets, dual aircraft carriers, and long-range missile systems present overwhelming advantages compared to Pakistan’s F-16s and Chinese J-10s.
Saudi Arabia’s Military: Capabilities and Constraints
Saudi Arabia boasts a sophisticated arsenal: Abrams tanks, Eurofighter Typhoons, F-15s, Tornado jets, and guided-missile frigates.
Its annual defense spending rivals India’s. Yet, its vulnerabilities were exposed during the Yemen conflict, where Houthi drones and missiles inflicted significant damage despite Riyadh’s advanced weaponry. Reliance on foreign advisors and gaps in training remain pressing issues.
In the event of a war between India and Pakistan, analysts suggest Saudi Arabia is unlikely to directly intervene militarily.
Instead, Riyadh’s support would likely be in the form of financial aid, oil supply guarantees, or diplomatic lobbying. For Pakistan, however, even such symbolic backing from the most influential Muslim nation could serve as a morale booster.
Balancing India and Pakistan in the New World Order
India has reacted cautiously to the Saudi-Pakistan pact. Given India’s robust ties with Riyadh—spanning $50 billion in trade, major oil imports, and even joint defense cooperation committees—Saudi Arabia faces a balancing act. It cannot afford to jeopardize relations with New Delhi, one of its most significant energy partners and a rising global power.
In the evolving world order, Saudi Arabia is signaling its willingness to stand closer with Muslim-majority nations like Pakistan, but it is equally careful to maintain strategic equilibrium with India.
Experts argue that Riyadh’s support for Pakistan is largely symbolic signaling to the Muslim world rather than a readiness for confrontation with India.
Conclusion
The Saudi-Pakistan defense pact illustrates how Islamabad is diversifying its security dependencies away from an over-reliance on China and the U.S., and turning toward the Muslim bloc for solidarity and protection.
However, when measured against India’s overwhelming military strength, Saudi Arabia’s role in a direct conflict would almost certainly remain limited to financial, diplomatic, or political support rather than boots on the ground.
For Pakistan, this pact may provide reassurance and a sense of belonging within the Muslim world. For Saudi Arabia, it is part of a broader geopolitical balancing strategy.
For India, it is a reminder of how the multipolar world is redrawing alliances—but also reassurance that Riyadh is unlikely to jeopardize its own vital relationship with New Delhi by fighting Pakistan’s wars.
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