Insights from External Experts Regarding the Pak-Saudi Military Agreement
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Defense Agreement
In a significant move, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have sealed a landmark defense agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Riyadh. This pact, aiming to develop defense cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence, is being hailed as the single most important military and diplomatic initiative in the past 50 years by former Senator Mushahid Hussain.
Former envoy Maleeha Lodhi described the agreement as a 'significant development' with 'far-reaching implications' for both countries. She noted the timing of the defense agreement as significant given questions over the United States' credibility as a security guarantor.
The defense pact grants Saudi Arabia a de facto nuclear umbrella, according to Journalist Iftikhar Firdous. Analysts Hussain Haqani and Uzair Younus highlight the strategic nature of the deal, noting its potential implications for nuclear and missile defense.
The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both, reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and achieve security and peace in the region and the world.
The defense relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has been shifted to a qualitatively different place with this agreement. Mushahid Hussain observes that Saudi Arabia's strong diplomatic influence could bolster Pakistan's role as a regional security guarantor.
Lodhi states that Pakistan has assumed the role of a security provider 'not just for Saudi Arabia but for the Middle East.' The defense agreement could act as a deterrent to Israel, according to Mushahid Hussain.
The strategic nature of the deal has not gone unnoticed. South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman comments that Pakistan now finds itself 'in a very good place,' with China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia fully supportive.
Meanwhile, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand have signed the AUKUS security pact, which primarily aims to strengthen defense ties in the Indo-Pacific region, potentially influencing China and other neighboring countries.
However, Iftikhar Firdous warns that the defense agreement may escalate regional tensions. He also observes that the agreement could signal Saudi Arabia's hedging against uncertainty. Firdous warns that such moves could lead to a dangerous arms race in the region.
In conclusion, the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia marks a significant shift in the regional security dynamics of the Middle East. As both nations continue to strengthen their ties, the implications for the region and the world remain to be seen.
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