Middle East security equation shifts with Saudi-Pakistan nuclear deal
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have taken a significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership, with the signing of a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Wednesday. This pact, according to Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, is a "purely defensive" arrangement designed to ensure joint security.
The agreement declares that an attack on one nation would be considered an attack on both nations. This joint response strategy, as stated by Asif, would be implemented if either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia is attacked.
The agreement follows a series of concerns expressed by Gulf Arab states over Israel, widely understood to be the only nuclear state in the Middle East, following its strikes on Qatar. Pakistan, with its nuclear arsenal of 170 warheads, according to the U.S.-published Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, could potentially play a significant role in this defensive alliance.
Pakistan's missiles, as per Adil Sultan, a former military officer, can cover all of India's sprawling land mass. However, if pointed the other direction, they could, in theory, strike Israel. This capability, combined with Pakistan's nuclear program, has been a subject of concern for the international community, leading to years of U.S. sanctions.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has long been linked to Pakistan's nuclear program. Retired Pakistani Brig. Gen. Feroz Hassan Khan stated that Saudi Arabia provided "generous financial support" to Pakistan's nuclear program. Riyadh has hinted that it will have a de facto nuclear shield under the new agreement.
The new agreement also points to far greater involvement of Pakistan's military contingent in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan, with an army of over 600,000 soldiers to defend against India, has been a strategic ally for Saudi Arabia. The two nations have fought three major wars and numerous clashes, including a four-day conflict in May that was their heaviest fighting in decades.
Any new Saudi injection of funds could help Pakistan even the defense budget balance with India. Saudi Arabia has helped Pakistan financially for decades, most recently with a $3 billion loan. This financial support could potentially be used to bolster Pakistan's defense capabilities, making it a more formidable strategic option for Gulf nations.
Analysts suggest that the agreement reflects shrinking confidence in the security provided by the United States to the region. The Biden administration imposed new sanctions on Pakistan over its ballistic missile work at the end of its term. These developments underscore the shifting alliances and power dynamics in the Middle East.
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