Saudi Arabia Pakistan Defence Pact: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a landmark mutual defence agreement during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, with both nations pledging joint deterrence against external threats. A key clause of the pact declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”.
In its first response, India said the agreement formalises a long-standing understanding between the two countries. “We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The government was aware that this development, which formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration. We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability. The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Our response to media queries on reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
https://t.co/jr2dL0L4xP pic.twitter.com/Exlrm4wBEw— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 18, 2025
Strengthening Saudi-Pakistan Ties
A joint statement released after the meeting said Prime Minister Sharif visited Riyadh on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders met at Al-Yamamah Palace, where they “reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, and a number of topics of common interest.”
Deeply touched by the heart warming welcome, accorded to me by my dear brother HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on my official visit to Riyadh.
From the unprecedented escort provided to my aircraft by the Royal Saudi airforce jets… pic.twitter.com/RZvkOSQbF1
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 18, 2025
The pact builds on what the statement described as a “historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades” and is rooted in “bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries.”
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“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” the statement added. A photograph released from the meeting also showed Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir alongside Prime Minister Sharif and the Saudi Crown Prince.
Context of Regional Tensions
The agreement comes at a time of heightened tensions in South Asia following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent counterstrike, Operation Sindoor. Saudi Arabia had strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Riyadh earlier this year. Both countries had issued a joint statement rejecting terrorism in all forms and calling for perpetrators to be brought to justice.
India and Saudi Arabia have steadily deepened bilateral engagement in recent years. New Delhi is now Riyadh’s second-largest trading partner. Prime Minister Modi has visited Saudi Arabia three times and in 2016 was awarded the King Abdulaziz Sash, the kingdom’s highest civilian honour.
