Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif signed a Joint Strategic Defence Agreement on Wednesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In a joint statement, both countries announced that the agreement comes within their efforts to strengthen security and promote peace in the region and the wider world. The pact aims to develop defence cooperation, bolster joint deterrence against any aggression, and affirms that an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both.
The joint statement emphasised that this step is rooted in nearly eight decades of historic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is built on the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and solidarity, shared strategic interests, and close defence cooperation between the two nations.
Ceremony in Riyadh
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where official welcoming ceremonies were held. Arabian horses accompanied Sharif’s motorcade, the national anthems of both countries were played, and the honour guard was reviewed.
The Saudi Crown Prince and the Pakistani Prime Minister then held an official meeting, where they reviewed the strong bilateral relations between their countries and discussed efforts to strengthen their strategic partnership across various fields. The talks also covered regional and international developments, as well as issues of common concern, with a focus on efforts to achieve security and stability.
This visit came just two days after Shehbaz Sharif and Mohammed bin Salman met in Doha, Qatar, on the sidelines of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit, where they discussed prospects of Saudi-Pakistani relations and developments across the region.
Strategic Implications
According to the Financial Times, the Saudi-Pakistani Strategic Defence Agreement signals to the United States that Riyadh is prepared to diversify its security alliances as part of its efforts to strengthen deterrence.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s state television reported that the agreement marks a significant boost to their decades-long security partnership. A statement from the office of the Pakistani Prime Minister said:
“This agreement, which reflects the joint commitment of both countries to strengthen their security and promote peace and stability in the region and the world, aims to expand defense cooperation and enhance joint deterrence against any aggression.”
