Saudi Arabia and Pakistan officially signed a joint strategic defense agreement on the 17th, and the agreement stipulates that third-party attacks on either country will be considered “aggression against both countries.” The agreement immediately caused international shock, and its impact is thought to extend beyond the entire Middle East. The Indian Foreign Ministry responded that the agreement “will closely study the impact of the agreement on Indian national security and regional and global stability.” The international community was concerned that the background of the agreement was the Israeli attack on Qatar and the recent Arab-Islamic emergency summit. The US Cable News Network (CNN) said that the Gulf Arab countries seek to strengthen defence relations with the outside world, showing “a growing caution about the reliability of the United States as its long-term security guarantor.”
“Cover all military means”
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Khabaz officially signed a joint strategic defence agreement in Riyadh on the same day, the two leaders said in a joint statement issued after the meeting that the two countries signed the agreement, reflecting the common commitment of the two sides to strengthen national security and regional and global security and peace, aiming to “develop all aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
According to Saudi media reports, on the same day, the two national flags of Bashar al-Assad hanged on the streets of the city of Riyadh. Starting from the Shabaab special aircraft entering Saudi airspace, four Saudi F-15 main-power fighters escorted the entire route, until the special aircraft landed at Riyadh Hariri King German airport.
Many media have noticed that according to the video broadcast by Pakistan's national television, when the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Saudi Crown Prince hugged each other after signing the agreement, the Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Syed Asim Munir, who had been promoted to field marshal for his outstanding performance in the air war against India, was also present.
The agreement is significant for the current situation in the region: first, the nuclear-armed Pakistan joins the security system of the Gulf region’s giant Saudi Arabia; second, in a moment of regional unrest and the unpredictable future of Washington, the agreement expands the scope of Saudi’s reliable allies and builds additional security safeguards.
“This agreement is the result of years of discussion, not a response to a specific country or event,” a senior Saudi official told Reuters, “it is an institutionalized arrangement for long-term deeper cooperation between the two countries.” Reuters said in the report that Pakistan is a country with nuclear weapons. When asked whether Pakistan has an obligation to provide a “nuclear umbrella” to Saudi Arabia under the agreement, the Saudi official, reluctant to disclose his name, responded, “it is a comprehensive defence agreement that covers all military means.”
Indian media is worried
According to New Delhi TV, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to media questions on the 18th that India has noticed the signing of a common strategic defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and will "closely study the impact of this agreement on India's national security and regional and global stability". "The Indian government will continue to work to protect its national interests and ensure national security in all fields".
India Today is worried that this agreement is regarded by Pakistan as a strategic deterrent and a major diplomatic victory against India. If there is another conflict between India and Pakistan, will Saudi Arabia intervene according to the agreement?
Reuters quoted the above-mentioned senior Saudi official as saying that Saudi Arabia needs to balance its relationship with Pakistan's rival India. "We will continue to develop our relations with India and do everything we can to contribute to regional peace," he said.
AP is concerned about whether Pakistan, as the only Islamic country with nuclear weapons, will change its nuclear weapons strategy as a result of the agreement. Pakistan has remained vague with regard to the use of nuclear weapons. Pakistan defense security analyst Sayid said in an AP interview that Pakistan is confident to use conventional force to protect Saudi security and does not need to resort to a nuclear option.
The Associated Press also revealed that a senior Iranian official visited Saudi Arabia as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a common strategic defense agreement. According to the report, considering that Saudi Arabia and Iran have been easing relations with each other under the mediation of China, this shows that Saudi Arabia may have informed Iran of the content of the agreement.
It may cause a domino effect.
More international media pay attention to the impact of this agreement on the regional security situation. The British "Financial Times" said on the 18th that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a common strategic defense agreement, sending a signal to the United States and Israel that Saudi Arabia is worried about the reliability of the United States in providing defense security in the Middle East, so it is strategically adjusting the "diversified security partnership". A week ago, Gulf countries, which traditionally relied on the United States as a guarantor of security, were deeply disturbed by Israel's missile attack on Qatar. Israel's attack on Qatar, one of the main allies of the United States, has heightened longstanding concerns among Gulf leaders about Washington's unpredictability and the reliability of its defense commitments, as well as fears of Israel's wanton military action.
The Gulf News Network said on Tuesday that the agreement was reached in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East, indicating that the two countries are willing to diversify security partnerships beyond traditional Western security.
Pakistan’s GEO TV said the deal would have a long-term impact on the power pattern in South Asia and the Middle East, “It’s obvious that Saudi Arabia is no longer relying only on the U.S. security umbrella. This development indicates that the global order is changing and it may trigger a domino effect.” GEO television senior reporter Hamid revealed that two other Arab countries are expected to sign similar agreements with Pakistan.
"Arab News Network" said that the timing of signing the agreement reflected the increasingly complex regional and international security environment. This reflects Saudi Arabia's determination to diversify its strategic partnership. Although Saudi Arabia has received security commitments from the United States, the country seeks to show greater autonomy in formulating security policies.