Paper: GS-II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global issues, Issue: Significance of the Saudi-Pakistan pact
Context:
Context: On September 17, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh. Itmarks the revival of bilateral defence ties, but raises questions on sustainability and effectiveness.
Historical Background:
But tensions also remained:
- Pakistan resisted being treated as Praetorian Guards.
- Disputes over excluding Shia troops as Saudi wanted Sunni led forces.
- Pakistani reluctance to involve itself in Saudi-led sectarian conflicts.
Probable Provisions of SMDA:
- Stationing of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia.
- Joint defence cooperation against regional threats.
- Regional security guarantees to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, linked indirectly to SMDA.
Why SMDA Now?
- Regional insecurity: Gaza war, Hamas–Israel conflict, and Iran’s growing influence.
- Saudi’s strategic needs:
- Binding bilateral defence pact enhances Saudi’s leverage in regional issues.
- It acts as counter weight to U.S. security guarantees.
- Enhances access to nuclear technology & American weapon systems.
- Pakistan’s needs:
- It can access economic support from Saudis amid financial crisis.
- Agreement offers political legitimacy for military-led governance.
- Enhances Pakistan’s strategic relevance to Gulf security.
Challenges:
| For Saudi Arabia | For Pakistan |
| Dependence dilemma: Past deployments showed Pakistani troops resisted being treated as subordinates.Credibility issue: U.S. security umbrella remains central to Saudi Arabia while Pakistan’s reliability is uncertain.Domestic pressure: Need to balance global and regional diplomacy such as its relations with Israel & the U.S. | Sectarian tensions: Pakistani involvement may fuel Shia–Sunni fault lines at home.Strategic overstretch: Risk of being drawn into regional conflicts such as with Iran, Yemen, and Israel.Economic dependency: Over-reliance on Saudi aid without sustainable reforms may deepen Pakistan’s dependency. |
Geopolitical Implications:
Conclusion: The Saudi–Pakistan SMDA is less about deep defence integration and more about mutual insurance in uncertain times. However, given historical mistrust, sectarian divides, and competing geopolitical pressures, the pact risks being a short-term tactical arrangement rather than a durable strategic partnership.
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