Defense Pact Signed Between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan: Benefits and Drawbacks
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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement declaring that an attack on any one of these countries will be considered an attack against all three.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan announced the agreement in the Saudi city of Mecca.
Following a joint US-Israel strike against Iran on February 28, Tehran and its allies launched multiple attacks across Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
These attacks disrupted maritime traffic along the world’s strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Some Indian analysts are questioning whether Turkey and Saudi Arabia will side with Islamist factions in any potential conflict involving Pakistan.
What Does the Agreement Say?
The Mecca agreement has drawn strong criticism from Tehran. A senior Iranian parliamentarian stated that it would not benefit Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia must understand that blindly following the US and benefiting unilaterally for years has not provided security, and similarly, a paper agreement with Turkey and Pakistan will not guarantee security,” wrote Ibrahim Reisi, a member of the National Security Commission, on platform X.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had announced their own joint defense agreement last year.
Following the new Mecca agreement, the three major Islamic nations have taken a step toward ensuring mutual defense.
The pact specifies that collective resistance will be strengthened against any attack, and any armed assault against one nation will be considered an attack against all.
The agreement also commits the three countries to deepen defense cooperation.
Although the pact promises mutual support, no specific obligations are assigned to any party. Citing a Turkish official, Reuters described the agreement as purely defensive in nature.
Saudi Arabia’s Interests
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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey each have distinct characteristics, which contribute to their respective interests in this agreement.
According to analysts, this pact will enhance Saudi Arabia’s security amid regional instability following the US and Israel’s conflict with Iran.
Last month, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, targeting airports, oil facilities, and tankers near the Red Sea.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia remains highly vigilant about Israeli attacks conducted in Doha targeting senior Hamas officials.
The Strategic and International Studies Center notes that Gulf countries are reorganizing their defense policies, and this agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic adjustments.
Implications for Pakistan and India
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For Pakistan, this agreement is expected to bring distinct strategic benefits, especially given the open conflict with India since May 2025 after long-standing tensions.
Even though full-scale war has not occurred, Saudi Arabia’s economic strength and Turkey’s military and industrial capabilities may prove highly advantageous to Pakistan.
Strategic expert Brahma Chelani noted that the pact could further complicate tension de-escalation between India and Pakistan if conflicts arise.
He wrote on platform X, “During Operation Sindhur, Pakistan received considerably more military aid from China compared to Turkey, but the Turkish support also demonstrated its backing of Pakistan in conflicts against India.”
Should India carry out attacks on ‘terrorist infrastructure’ or ‘military bases’ inside Pakistan in the future, Islamist factions may interpret this as an act of war and demand enforcement of the pact’s collective defense mechanisms.
Pakistan is intensifying its diplomatic engagements globally, having played a mediatory role between Iran and the US and facilitating ceasefire talks.
Benefits for Turkey
Turkey stands to gain in various ways from this agreement. According to Burtu Oselic of the London-based Royal United Services Institute, Turkey’s defense industry will benefit from joint production, technology sharing, contracts, and closer military collaboration.
However, analysts also warn that while the pact appears clearly as a mutual defense agreement, its practical implementation could face significant challenges.
For example, if Saudi Arabia becomes fully involved in a war in Yemen, will Turkey provide support? Or if conflict resumes between India and Pakistan, would Saudi Arabia declare war on India? These scenarios demand complex assessments and diplomatic negotiations among all parties.
All three countries have pledged to strengthen their resistance capabilities as part of this agreement.
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