A strategic agreement was signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, where both countries declared that an attack on one would be seen as an attack on both. The agreement is seen against the backdrop of the Israeli airstrike on Doha, killing Hamas leaders. The strike sent shock waves across Qatar’s capital.
Pakistan is already a nuclear-capable state, and this deal with the Gulf nation paves a new wave of security and diplomacy in the region. The pact was signed between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. The event was also attended by Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, highlighting the military’s support for the deal.
The pact has multiple importance as it changes the previous US-centric military support in the region, and is a deterrent to Israel’s attack. It is also notable for India, as the pact risks the support of Saudi Arabia towards Pakistan, and enhances Pakistan’s military capabilities. After the pact was signed, a joint statement released by the leaders read “This agreement strengthens joint deterrence against any aggression”. It is said that this must be seen in the backdrop of the Qatar raid by Israel.
Though the Saudi officials have claimed it is not a targeted move, experts believe the other way since the strike in Doha was a turning point due to the presence of a US military base. Washington has not given any statement as of now, but as per speculations, Saudi authorities were looking for an alternative to the US-guaranteed military support.
Though the pact is ambitious, it has not revealed anything about the use of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, making it a grey area. The pact might also signal a backtrack by the Gulf country, which was trying to normalise relations with Israel. A pact with the country outside the Abraham Accords suggests that Saudi Arabia is ready to redraw military boundaries in the region. Experts also suggest that this could mean that Israel must be ready for a nuclear response to its actions by a state that is an ally of the US.
The attempt to kill Hamas leaders by Israel has supposedly led to the formation of a united Islamic bloc that it never thought it would create. The other country that is at a major crossroads after the deal is India, as it has a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia and Israel, while a never-ending conflict with Pakistan.
