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Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that under a new mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, both countries will provide military support if India or any other country launches an attack on either.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 20, 2025 11:58 IST
Under the new security pact signed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will get involved in the event of Delhi attacking Islamabad, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in an interview on Friday.
"Yes absolutely. There's no doubt about it," Asif told Pakistani news channel, Geo TV, while saying that it is not about any country in particular as it is a collective defence deal and not to be used for aggression.
"If there is aggression, whether against Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, we will jointly defend against it," he said.
The pact draws comparisons to Article 5 of the Nato treaty, which centres on collective defence. Under the agreement, Pakistan’s military capabilities, including its nuclear assets, are available for Saudi Arabia’s use in case of an emergency.
"Our capabilities will absolutely be available under this pact," Asif told international news agency Reuter, though Pakistan maintains that its nuclear doctrine is India-specific. "This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means," confirmed senior Saudi official.
A key clause of the pact states that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."
In response, India said that the agreement "formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries" and is currently being examined for its wider implications.
However, geopolitical analyst Ian Bremmer said that in case of another face-off with the Pakistani Army, India will now have to factor in Saudi Arabia as well.
"If you’re India and you have an ongoing very severe border security issue with Pakistan... there’s a good chance we’re going to see another military altercation. Now if that happens and Saudi Arabia is committed to come to Pakistan’s defence, if I’m India, that has to factor into my calculations. That’s going to change life for India, no question," Bremmer told India Today TV.
Bremmer further explained that Saudi Arabia has long supported Pakistan’s nuclear programme, and considered it an emergency option for itself in a crisis. "The fact that they are now openly declaring a collective security pact is a very significant new step forward," he said.
The agreement is seen as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships beyond the United States. "It is an effort to diversify alliances, to rely less exclusively for security on the United States. The need to ensure that they have a broader array of security partners around the world is growing," said Bremmer, adding that it strengthens Pakistan geopolitically.
- Ends
Published By:
Sayan Ganguly
Published On:
Sep 20, 2025
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