Saudi vows war support to Pakistan against India

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Saudi Arabia would back Pakistan in the event of a war with India, following the signing of a landmark defence agreement between Islamabad and Riyadh earlier this month. His remarks have drawn attention amid heightened regional tensions.

Speaking to local media about the new pact, Asif was asked whether Saudi Arabia would extend support to Pakistan in the event of a confrontation with India. He replied, “Certainly, there is no doubt about it.” He highlighted that “strategic mutual assistance” is a key feature of the agreement, which stipulates that any attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both, warranting a joint response.

The defence agreement, signed in Riyadh, is set to last several decades and covers cooperation in nuclear and defence capabilities. Officials indicated that additional countries may join the pact in the future. The deal comes in the backdrop of recent unrest in the region, including Israel’s strikes on Qatar, which have spurred calls for greater unity among Muslim nations.

Asif’s remarks follow rising India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces struck militant bases inside Pakistan. Indian intelligence agencies have since reported attempts to revive these camps, escalating concerns of renewed hostilities.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged awareness of the Pakistan-Saudi agreement. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the pact should be seen as a continuation of longstanding defence ties between the two countries. He added that India maintains positive relations with Saudi Arabia and emphasised that decisions will be taken keeping in mind national security, regional stability, and international peace.

Analysts note that while Saudi Arabia has traditionally balanced its ties with both India and Pakistan, the latest agreement raises questions about how Riyadh might respond if bilateral tensions intensify.

The pact is expected to deepen Pakistan-Saudi cooperation in strategic defence areas and symbolizes closer military alignment. However, its potential impact on South Asia’s security environment, especially amid ongoing India-Pakistan friction, remains to be seen.