Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that under a newly signed mutual defence pact, his country’s nuclear capabilities could be extended to Saudi Arabia, marking the first explicit acknowledgement of placing the kingdom under its nuclear umbrella. Speaking to Geo TV, Asif emphasised that Pakistan’s nuclear forces, long established and battlefield-ready, would be available under the pact if either nation faced aggression.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, stipulates that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both, establishing a joint defence mechanism. Asif described it as an “umbrella arrangement” for mutual protection, clarifying that the pact is defensive and not intended for aggression. He also noted that Pakistan’s nuclear installations are open to inspections, contrasting this transparency with Israel, which does not allow external inspections of its nuclear facilities.
Asif further indicated that the pact could potentially be extended to other Gulf countries, while stressing that nuclear weapons were “not on the radar” of this agreement. Analysts interpret the move as a signal to Israel and a demonstration of deepening Saudi-Pakistan military ties. Saudi Arabia has long been suspected of financially supporting Pakistan’s nuclear programme, which is largely oriented to counter India. Pakistan is believed to possess about 170 warheads, nearly equal to India’s 172, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that New Delhi expects Saudi Arabia to consider mutual interests and regional sensitivities. India reaffirmed its commitment to protecting national interests and maintaining comprehensive security across all domains, while carefully assessing the strategic and global implications of the pact. Geopolitical analysts, including Ian Bremmer, have noted that the agreement will significantly alter India’s security calculations, particularly in light of recent military tensions with Pakistan.
