Pakistan Saudi Arabia Defence Pact 2025 Signed in Riyadh

In a crucial geopolitical move, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia entered into a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement. This was on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The defense agreement states that “an attack on either country will be regarded as an attack on both.” The pact was signed while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was in Riyadh at a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace.

According to Dawn and Geo News, “The pact reiterates the commitment of the two countries to enhance collaboration in the field of security. Also, it is to reinforce deterrence in the regional context, and uphold international peace and stability.”

Strengthening an 80-year partnership

The joint statement post signing emphasized the two nations’ relationships as historic, strategic partnerships.

“The statement noted that based on nearly eight decades of partnership grounded in brotherhood, Islamic solidarity, and mutual strategic interests. Both sides signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.”

The agreement is very much symbolic of the long-standing collaboration between the nations. It transcends defence collaboration by codifying that threats to one state would then be threats faced by both states, and vice versa.

These events continue to be closely monitored as part of newly released updates impacting regional geopolitical timelines in the Middle East and South Asia.

Pakistani Senior Delegate

After landing in the Saudi capital, Prime Minister Sharif was greeted by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz. While on the trip, a senior delegation comprised of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar, Minister of Environment Mulsadik Malik, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that the aim of the meetings was to build on the long history of Pakistan-Saudi relations. It will look for new areas of cooperation on defense issues, economic issues, and regional security.

This marked Sharif’s third visit to the Gulf in a week. It follows two earlier visits to Qatar in support of Doha after the attack on Hamas leadership by Israel.

India Takes a Cautious Approach

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacted cautiously to the announcement of the mutual defense agreement.

In a statement, the MEA stated:

“Reports have surfaced regarding the signing of a strategic mutual defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.” The Government acknowledged this step. It introduced a permanent agreement between the two countries. We will explore implications for our national security and for stability at the regional and global levels.

The MEA reaffirmed India’s commitment to the security of its national interests. It will be done while ensuring comprehensive national security in all dimensions.

Implications of Local and Global Implications

Turmoil develops across the Middle East resulting from conflict and changes in the alliance system. The agreement is coming to fruition. The agreement could create a significant deterrent against outside aggressors. But it remains to be seen how it will influence the neighboring regional powers, such as India and Iran.

Given Pakistan is already playing a proactive diplomatic role in the Gulf region, the agreement with Saudi Arabia will allow Pakistan to expand its leverage in the region. Experts expect the agreement to shift regional security calculations across both South Asia and the Middle East. It will certainly appear in international relations reporting as an important landmark in recent news updates.

The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence agreement is an important step in constructive bilateral relations; it deepens a longstanding partnership and support for collective security by both bilaterally and multilaterally. This defence agreement represents both coherence and an element of deterrence; however, local stakeholders will surely be watching its implications closely, especially other regional power, India, that has already signalled that it would be watching the anticipated ramifications of the agreement closely.

As attention turns globally to this defence agreement, it could influence security both regionally and globally.