Source: The post The Saudi-Pakistan pact is a dodgy insurance policy has been created, based on the article “Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact and Impact on India” published in “The Hindu” on 20 September 2025. Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact and Impact on India.
Syllabus: GS Paper -2- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact was recently signed which is seen as a strategic move aimed at bolstering military cooperation between the two nations.
Strategic and Political Implications:
- The agreement is seen as a strategic alignment to strengthen defence cooperation, despite both nations having historically differing perceptions on key political issues.
- Saudi Arabia, which has traditionally maintained cautious ties with Pakistan, is now willing to expand military cooperation, partly due to Pakistan’s critical role in regional security.
- It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s need to ensure stability in the region while also deterring threats from Iran and other adversaries.
- The United States has expressed support for the pact, which also includes provisions for defence technology sharing.
- The pact has potential ramifications for the broader Middle East and South Asia, where regional powers like Iran and India maintain a close watch on any shifts in alliances.
- Saudi Arabia’s pivot towards Pakistan further complicates the already volatile geopolitical situation in the region, which is fraught with ongoing conflicts and historical rivalries.
Impact on India:
- India could perceive this pact as a strategic shift in the region, especially in relation to its own defense policies in the Middle East.
- The Saudi-Pakistan defense collaboration may increase Pakistan’s military influence in the region, particularly in areas that concern India such as Afghanistan and Kashmir.
- Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s closer ties with Pakistan might complicate India’s strategic positioning in the Middle East, where India has historically maintained a neutral stance.
Strategic Concerns for India:
- India will likely monitor the military developments in the region closely, considering the historical ties between Saudi Arabia and India, and the latter’s strategic interests in the region.
- The pact could lead to an arms race in the region, potentially forcing India to reconsider its defense strategy, particularly concerning its interests in the Gulf and Afghanistan.
Question: Critically examine the strategic and political implications of the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact signed in September 2025.
