Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that under a newly signed security pact with Saudi Arabia, both nations have committed to providing mutual military support if either country faces aggression. Speaking in an interview with Geo TV, Asif clarified that the pact is a collective defence agreement rather than a tool for offensive action. He stated, “If there is aggression, whether against Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, we will jointly defend against it,” highlighting that the agreement is modeled in part on NATO’s Article 5 principle, where an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.
The pact explicitly allows Saudi Arabia access to Pakistan’s military capabilities, including nuclear assets, in emergencies, though Pakistan maintains that its nuclear doctrine remains India-specific. A senior Saudi official confirmed that the agreement encompasses all military means and that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
India has responded cautiously, describing the pact as formalizing a long-standing arrangement and is currently reviewing its broader strategic implications. Geopolitical analysts, such as Ian Bremmer, note that the pact alters India’s strategic calculations in potential border conflicts with Pakistan, as Saudi Arabia is now openly committed to supporting Pakistan militarily. Bremmer further emphasized that the move reflects Saudi Arabia’s intent to diversify its security partnerships beyond reliance on the United States, strengthening Pakistan’s geopolitical position and adding a new dimension to regional security dynamics.
