Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a landmark mutual defence agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, a move being closely watched in New Delhi. The agreement, unveiled after Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace, declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.” Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was also present at the signing, underscoring its strategic weight.

A joint statement described the pact as an extension of the “historic partnership of nearly eight decades” and rooted in “bonds of brotherhood, Islamic solidarity, shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation.” It seeks to deepen defence collaboration, bolster deterrence, and promote regional peace.

India’s response was measured but cautious. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the pact “formalises a long-standing arrangement” and assured that its implications for national security, regional dynamics, and global stability would be carefully assessed. “The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains,” the statement underlined.

The agreement comes at a tense moment in South Asia, with India-Pakistan ties strained in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s counter-operation, codenamed Sindoor. Against this backdrop, the Saudi-Pakistan alignment introduces a new layer of complexity to the regional security environment.

Notably, Saudi Arabia has also deepened its ties with India in recent years. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi and Riyadh have expanded strategic, energy, and trade partnerships, with India emerging as the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner. During Modi’s state visit to Riyadh earlier this year, both sides strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border attacks, and pledged zero tolerance for extremist violence.

The new Riyadh-Islamabad pact thus highlights Saudi Arabia’s delicate balancing act between two rival South Asian powers.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a landmark mutual defence agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, a move being closely watched in New Delhi. The agreement, unveiled after Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace, declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.” Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was also present at the signing, underscoring its strategic weight.

A joint statement described the pact as an extension of the “historic partnership of nearly eight decades” and rooted in “bonds of brotherhood, Islamic solidarity, shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation.” It seeks to deepen defence collaboration, bolster deterrence, and promote regional peace.

India’s response was measured but cautious. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the pact “formalises a long-standing arrangement” and assured that its implications for national security, regional dynamics, and global stability would be carefully assessed. “The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains,” the statement underlined.

The agreement comes at a tense moment in South Asia, with India-Pakistan ties strained in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s counter-operation, codenamed Sindoor. Against this backdrop, the Saudi-Pakistan alignment introduces a new layer of complexity to the regional security environment.

Notably, Saudi Arabia has also deepened its ties with India in recent years. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi and Riyadh have expanded strategic, energy, and trade partnerships, with India emerging as the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner. During Modi’s state visit to Riyadh earlier this year, both sides strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border attacks, and pledged zero tolerance for extremist violence.

The new Riyadh-Islamabad pact thus highlights Saudi Arabia’s delicate balancing act between two rival South Asian powers.