**Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement to Formalize Security Cooperation**
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalized their long-standing security cooperation by signing a **Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement**, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing their military ties. The pact pledges mutual support in the event of any external aggression, reflecting a shared commitment to regional security and peace.
The agreement was signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh and was announced through a joint statement following his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Reuters, this new accord aims to enhance defense cooperation between the two Islamic nations and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.
A key feature of the pact is that any attack on either country will be considered an attack on both, representing a major shift from informal security arrangements to a formalized military framework.
A senior Saudi official described the deal as the culmination of years of discussions and emphasized that it is not a reaction to any recent conflict or specific country. The official also noted that it is a comprehensive defensive agreement encompassing all military means but declined to specify whether it includes Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
This agreement follows days after an extraordinary joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened in response to Israel’s strike on Doha on September 9 targeting senior Hamas leaders. However, the Saudi official stressed that the new pact is not directly linked to this incident.
In addition to defense cooperation, both leaders discussed ways to enhance the strategic partnership across various fields and exchanged views on regional and global issues, according to Al Jazeera.
While Saudi Arabia strengthens its defense ties with Pakistan, it reiterated that its growing relationship with India remains unaffected. The Saudi official commented, “Our relationship with India is more robust than it has ever been,” a noteworthy statement given the brief conflict between India and Pakistan earlier in May.
**A Long History of Military Cooperation**
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a deep history of military collaboration. Since 1967, Islamabad has trained over 8,200 Saudi military personnel, and the two nations have conducted multiple joint military exercises, underscoring their enduring partnership.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/pakistan-saudi-arabia-defence-pact-declares-joint-response-to-any-agresssion-on-either-no-shift-in-india-ties-says-riyadh/articleshow/123961139.cms