THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
The recent defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has created new security concerns for India. This mutual defence pact, signed in September 2025, states that any attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both. For India, this development changes the balance of power in the region and creates several threats.
The biggest concern is military strength. Pakistan already has nuclear weapons, and now it has Saudi Arabia’s promise of support. If India and Pakistan have a conflict, India would not just face Pakistan alone. Saudi Arabia, with its oil wealth and military resources, could provide Pakistan with weapons, money, and other support. This makes Pakistan stronger and India’s position more difficult.
Financial Backing
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s richest countries because of its oil. This wealth can now help Pakistan buy better weapons and military equipment. Pakistan has always struggled with money problems, but Saudi funding could help them build a stronger military. This means India would face a better-armed Pakistan in any future conflict.
Regional Isolation
This pact could encourage other countries to pick sides. If more Middle Eastern countries support Pakistan because of Saudi Arabia’s influence, India could become isolated in the region. This would hurt India’s diplomatic efforts and make it harder to build alliances.
Pakistan’s nuclear weapons become more dangerous with Saudi backing. If Pakistan feels more confident because of Saudi support, it might take bigger risks in conflicts with India. The fear is that Pakistan might use nuclear threats more freely, knowing it has a powerful ally.
Economic Impact
India’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has been growing stronger in recent years, especially in trade and energy. This new pact might hurt those ties. If Saudi Arabia has to choose between India and Pakistan, it might favour Pakistan because of the defence agreement.
India now faces a two-front challenge. While India already worries about China on its northern border, this pact creates concerns on the western side, too. If India has problems with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s involvement could make the situation more complicated and dangerous.
Conclusion
The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact creates real security threats for India. It strengthens Pakistan militarily and financially while potentially isolating India diplomatically. India must now rethink its strategy and find ways to counter this new alliance. The pact changes the power balance in South Asia and the Middle East, making India’s security situation more challenging than before.
While both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia say this pact is not aimed at any specific country, the practical effect is clear: India now faces a stronger, better-supported Pakistan. This requires careful planning and strong responses from India’s government to protect the country’s interests.
References
1. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-18/saudi-arabia-and-pakistan-deepen-ties-with-mutual-defense-pact?embedded-checkout=true
2. https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2025/09/18/pakistani-media-s-bizarre-claims-about-new-defence-pact-if-we-face-aggression-from-india-saudi-arabia-will-stand-by-us.html
