On 17 September 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh. The pact commits both nations to stand side by side: if either country is attacked, it will be treated as an attack on both. This moment is being described by officials and analysts as a milestone in their long and layered relationship.
What does the agreement cover?
The text of the pact emphasizes collective defence and broader military cooperation. In simple terms, the two states have pledged to protect one another in case of aggression. The deal also mentions strengthening deterrence and expanding cooperation across different branches of the armed forces.
At the same time, the published summary does not reveal every operational detail. There are no public commitments about troop deployments, command structures, or automatic military responses. That part remains unclear.
Who signed the deal?
The agreement was endorsed during the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh. It was signed in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and attended by Pakistan’s army chief. Their appearance together at the signing sent a powerful visual message of unity.
Why was it signed now?
The timing is important. In recent weeks, tensions in the Gulf and wider region have been running high. A strike in the Gulf area raised concerns across Arab capitals, reminding leaders of the fragility of their security environment. Against this backdrop, formalizing the pact gives both Riyadh and Islamabad a stronger assurance of support.
Saudi officials, however, stressed that this is not aimed at a single country. Instead, they described it as the “institutionalisation” of years of cooperation and friendship.
What is guaranteed, and what remains uncertain?
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Guaranteed:
- A formal commitment to mutual defence
- Stronger military coordination
- Deeper political and strategic alignment
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Uncertain:
- Specific operational steps (troop movement, joint command, automatic military triggers)
- Nuclear aspects: the text uses broad language like “all military means,” but there is no explicit statement about nuclear weapons or a “nuclear umbrella.” Analysts agree that this area remains politically sensitive and deliberately vague.
Regional impact
For Saudi Arabia, the pact signals its intent to diversify security arrangements beyond traditional partners. For Pakistan, it reinforces an already deep relationship with the Kingdom and offers stronger regional backing.
But the move could also raise questions among rivals, especially given that Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state. How this pact is implemented in practice will be closely watched not only in the Middle East but also in South Asia.
What did leaders say?
A senior Saudi official told reporters the pact is the result of years of discussion and is not aimed at any particular country. Pakistan’s official statement highlighted the deal as a way to strengthen security and deterrence for both partners.
Questions People Are Asking
When and where was the pact signed?
It was signed on 17 September 2025 in Riyadh during PM Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit.
Does this mean Saudi Arabia will get nuclear weapons from Pakistan?
The agreement does not mention the transfer of nuclear weapons. The wording is broad, but there is no confirmed nuclear-sharing arrangement.
Will this force Pakistan into war if Saudi Arabia is attacked?
The pact is binding on paper, but in practice, such decisions depend on governments at the time of a crisis. The details of how and when help would be given were not published.
How might this affect Pakistan’s relations with India?
The agreement could complicate regional diplomacy. Saudi officials themselves noted they want to balance ties with India too, which shows that both countries are aware of the regional sensitivities.
Is Saudi Arabia moving away from the United States?
Not exactly. Analysts describe this as a diversification of security ties rather than a full shift. Riyadh still maintains its U.S. defence ties but is now strengthening other partnerships too.
Final note
Agreements like this are not just ink on paper; they are signals to allies, rivals, and domestic audiences. For Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, it puts a long-standing friendship into a new, formal framework. The true test, however, will come if the pact is ever put to the test in real-world conflict.