For more than half a century, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have maintained a defence partnership grounded in trust, solidarity and shared strategic interests. That bond has now entered a new and historic phase with the signing of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in Riyadh.
This agreement, which declares that any aggression against one will be treated as aggression against both, reflects not only a legal commitment but also a symbolic one. In other words, it elevates bilateral ties to the level of collective security arrangements seen in NATO or the GCC.
The timing of the pact is also significant. Coming soon after the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, it is not a reaction to a single event but rather the culmination of decades of dialogue, coordination, and cooperation. Moreover, it institutionalises a relationship that has long been visible in moments of crisis, from the deployment of Pakistani troops in the 1980s to shared counterterrorism efforts in the 2000s. Hence, the agreement is both continuity and renewal — continuity of military-to-military trust and renewal in adapting to modern security realities.
Equally important is the political dimension. The pact reaffirms Pakistan’s enduring importance to the Kingdom at a time when global alignments are shifting. Meanwhile, it also highlights Saudi Arabia’s role as a steadfast partner for Pakistan, offering support in times of economic and humanitarian need.
In this sense, the SDMA is more than a defence compact. It is a reaffirmation of historic friendship. It is a landmark in bilateral ties, a logical outcome of history and a framework for the future.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
