Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a strategic defense pact on Wednesday, further strengthening their long-standing security partnership. Both countries have stated that any attack on one of them will be considered an aggression against both.
This enhanced defense agreement comes in the wake of Israel’s attack on Qatar and growing concerns among Gulf Arab states regarding the reliability of the United States as a security guarantor. The pact aims to develop defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and enhance their joint deterrence against aggression.
The pact follows recent tensions between nuclear powers Pakistan and India, which saw a four-day conflict in May resulting in the deaths of 70 military personnel and civilians. Saudi Arabia is believed to have played a role in deescalating tensions.
Saudi Arabia is India’s third-largest oil supplier, while Islamabad maintains close ties with the kingdom, with an estimated 2.5 million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabia-and-pakistan-sign-mutual-defense-pact/a-74036741?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
