Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact

• 22 Sep 2025

For Prelims: Gulf region, Gaza, Red Sea, I2U2, West Coast Refinery project.                            

For Mains: Implications of the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact for India and suggested measures to navigate its challenges.

Source: TH  

Why in News?

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalized decades of informal military cooperation by signing a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA), a pact that could notably affect India’s national interests in South Asia and the Gulf region.

• The pact includes a collective defence clause, joint military mechanisms, and intelligence-sharing.
• For Pakistan, it offers financial lifelines and strategic relevance, while for Saudi Arabia, it provides a hedge against regional threats like Iran, Houthis, and Israel’s aggression.

What are the Implications of the Saudi-Pakistan Pact on India?

• Geopolitical Setback in the Middle East: The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact revives historical ties between the two countries, posing a geopolitical challenge to India’s Gulf diplomacy. 
  • It may enable Pakistan to leverage its strengthened position with Riyadh to push anti-India narratives on Kashmir within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, complicating India’s influence in the Islamic world.
• Impact on Energy Security and Diaspora: India’s energy security and reliance on Saudi crude oil could face challenges due to a deeper Saudi-Pakistan strategic alignment, which may complicate commercial and geopolitical ties. 
  • Additionally, India’s 2.6 million-strong diaspora in Saudi Arabia, a key source of remittances, could be affected by shifts in the regional political landscape.
• Pressure on Counter-Terrorism Efforts: India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan internationally over terrorism could be affected, as Saudi Arabia’s deepened strategic partnership with Pakistan may temper its otherwise growing cooperation with India on counter-terrorism, potentially limiting Riyadh’s support for India’s diplomatic initiatives.
• Fueling a Destabilizing Arms Race in Advanced Technologies: Saudi financial support could allow Pakistan to rapidly modernize its military, investing in combat drones, hypersonic missiles, and cyber warfare with backing from partners like Turkey and China, over which India has limited influence. 
  • This pressures New Delhi into an accelerated, costly arms race in AI, space, and electronic warfare to counter a technologically advanced adversary on its western border. 

Significance of Saudi Arabia for India

• Energy Security: Saudi Arabia is a strategic energy partner, ranking among the one of the largest suppliers of crude oil, vital for India’s energy requirements.
• Economic Partnership: India is Saudi Arabia’s 2nd largest trade partner, while Saudi Arabia ranks 5th for India. 
  • With USD 3 billion in Indian investments(as of August 2023) in Saudi Arabia, this relationship is a key pillar of India’s economic growth and diversification.
• Strategic & Defence Cooperation: India and Saudi are strengthening defence ties through joint exercises like EX-SADA TANSEEQ (land) and Al Mohed Al Hindi (naval) with enhanced interoperability, trust, and regional security cooperation.
• Geopolitical Leverage & Connectivity: Saudi support is vital for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a key initiative to counter Chinese influence and enhance regional connectivity.
• Diaspora & Soft Power: The 2.6 million-strong Indian community provides significant soft power and remittances, while cultural exchanges like Yoga strengthen people-to-people ties.
• Future-Oriented Collaboration: India’s initiatives in green energy (solar, hydrogen) and technology (AI, FinTech) align with Saudi Vision 2030, laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable cooperation beyond hydrocarbons.

How Could India Navigate the Impact of the Saudi-Pakistan Pact?

• Double Down on Diplomacy: India must ensure its relationship with Saudi Arabia is defined by economic interests, not the Pakistan prism, emphasizing its role in energy security, investment ties (like the West Coast Refinery project), and future-oriented projects in renewables, technology, and finance. 
• Execute a Pragmatic Re-engagement with Iran: The Saudi-Pakistan pact positions Iran as a strategic partner for India, prompting New Delhi to fully leverage Chabahar Port and accelerate the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), securing a direct, secure route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while countering Pakistan’s western flank. 
• Strengthen the Look West Policy: India must diversify its Gulf strategy by deepening ties with the UAE and Qatar, through trade deals, LNG supply, and defence cooperation and maintaining a pragmatic relationship with Iran to ensure regional balance. 
  • Additionally, leverage minilateral frameworks like I2U2 reinforces India’s role as a stabilising, non-threatening partner.

Conclusion

The Saudi-Pakistan pact signifies a pivotal shift towards multipolarity in West Asia, driven by hedging against unreliable US guarantees. For India, it necessitates astute diplomacy, economic engagement with Riyadh, and a diversified regional strategy to safeguard its vital interests and navigate the new strategic landscape.

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. How does the Saudi-Pakistan pact affect India’s interests and influence in the Gulf? 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’? (2016)

(a) Iran 

(b) Saudi Arabia 

(c) Oman 

(d) Kuwait 

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyse India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries. (2017)