Saudi-Pakistan Defence Agreement: Symbolism Or Real Threat For India? 7 Top Takeaways

<p>Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a rare defence agreement that pledges mutual response to any attack on either nation, drawing comparisons with NATO&rsquo;s collective security clause. While Islamabad has projected the deal as a strategic win against India, experts caution that Riyadh&rsquo;s priorities lie elsewhere, especially given its robust economic partnership with New Delhi.</p>
<p>Saudi officials have also stressed that the treaty is not aimed at India, raising questions over whether the pact is more symbolism than substance in South Asia&rsquo;s shifting security landscape.</p>
<p>Here are 7 top takeaways for the agreement:</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>1. What was signed and why it matters</strong></span></h3>
<p>Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalised a &ldquo;Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement&rdquo;, pledging that &ldquo;any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The NATO-style wording has been hailed in Islamabad as a diplomatic victory and a form of deterrence against India.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>2. How analysts view the deal</strong></span></h3>
<p>Experts say the pact looks stronger on paper than it may prove in reality. A geopolitical strategist, Velina Tchakarova, tweeted: &ldquo;Signal to India: Saudi balancing grows more complex.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Many argue the move is more about regional posturing, particularly in relation to Israel, rather than a commitment to fight India&rsquo;s battles.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>3. India&rsquo;s cautious response</strong></span></h3>
<p>India has not overreacted but noted that the agreement essentially formalises a long-standing understanding between Riyadh and Islamabad.</p>
<p>External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India would &ldquo;study implications of the pact&rdquo; and reiterated that New Delhi would safeguard its &ldquo;national interests and ensure comprehensive national security in all domains.&rdquo;</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>4. What Saudi Arabia itself is saying</strong></span></h3>
<p>Saudi officials were quick to clarify that the treaty is not targeted at India. One senior official told Reuters: &ldquo;The agreement is not a response to specific countries or specific events… Our relationship with India is more robust than it has ever been.</p>
<p>We will continue to grow this relationship and seek to contribute to regional peace in whichever way we can.&rdquo;</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>5. Trade balances tilt heavily towards India</strong></span></h3>
<p>Numbers underline the imbalance. Saudi&ndash;India trade touched USD 41.88 billion in FY 2024&ndash;25, making New Delhi Riyadh&rsquo;s second-largest trading partner. By contrast, Pakistan&ndash;Saudi trade is only around USD 3&ndash;4 billion annually.</p>
<p>The economic reality suggests Riyadh has little incentive to jeopardise ties with India.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>6. US angle behind the scenes</strong></span></h3>
<p>Over 70 per cent of Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s weaponry is supplied by the United States, including F-15 jets and Patriot missiles. Any military action involving Riyadh would require Washington&rsquo;s tacit approval, giving the US significant leverage.</p>
<p>Analysts believe Washington will not risk straining its growing strategic embrace of India.</p>
<h3><span style=”color: #ba372a;”><strong>7. Bigger picture for South Asia</strong></span></h3>
<p>The pact resets Saudi&ndash;Pakistan ties after years of frostiness but does not automatically translate into a threat for India, for now.</p>
<p>India views it as part of West Asia&rsquo;s evolving security architecture while continuing to deepen its own economic and defence links with Saudi Arabia.</p>