Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact: What is the 'Islamic NATO' and Why Does it Matter to India?

Saudi-Pakistan defense pact, dubbed "Islamic NATO," formalizes a defense alliance, what this means and the strategic dangers it poses for India.

New Delhi 22 Sept | The term "Islamic NATO" has recently gained prominence following the signing of a landmark mutual defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. While not a formal alliance in the traditional sense, the pact mirrors the collective defense principle of NATO, where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Let's talk about what this agreement entails, its relationship to the Saudi-Pakistan defense deal, and the potential dangers it poses for India.

What is the 'Islamic NATO'?

The "Islamic NATO" refers to the new "Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement" signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This pact, formalized during a visit by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh, elevates decades of informal security cooperation into a concrete, institutionalized military framework.

The core of the agreement is its collective defense clause, which explicitly states that

 any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.

This transforms the relationship from one of a historical alliance into a formal security commitment.

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While the term "Islamic NATO" is an informal label, it captures the essence of this new security architecture aimed at mutual deterrence and defense among key Muslim nations.

The deal is a strategic win for both countries:

For Saudi Arabia

It gains a security guarantor in the form of Pakistan's military and, crucially, access to a nuclear shield. Saudi officials have stated that the pact "encompasses all military means," which has been widely interpreted as a way to benefit from Pakistan's nuclear capabilities without having to develop its own. 

This is particularly significant in a volatile Middle East where tensions with rivals like Iran and Israel are high and trust in the U.S. as a security partner is waning.

For Pakistan

It secures a powerful, wealthy, and influential ally. The pact institutionalizes Saudi Arabia's long-standing financial and political support, providing a much-needed economic lifeline and bolstering Pakistan's geopolitical standing. It also allows Pakistan to position itself as a key military provider in the Muslim world.

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How It Relates to the Saudi-Pakistan Defense Deal

The "Islamic NATO" is not a separate entity but rather the conceptual framework for this new defense pact. The agreement formalizes the long-standing military ties between the two countries, which have included joint exercises and Pakistan's provision of training to Saudi military personnel.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly confirmed the pact's nature, explicitly stating that Saudi Arabia would come to Pakistan's defense in the event of a war with India, and that Pakistan's nuclear weapons would be available to Saudi Arabia under the agreement for deterrence. This statement removed any ambiguity and highlighted the far-reaching implications of the deal.

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Why It Could Be Dangerous for India

The formalization of the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact has significant and potentially dangerous implications for India's regional security and foreign policy:

Formalizing a Rival's Alliance

The agreement institutionalizes Saudi Arabia's commitment to Pakistan's defense. For decades, India has worked to maintain a strategic and economic partnership with Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh has often walked a fine line of neutrality in India-Pakistan conflicts. 

This new pact, however, officially aligns a major regional power and a key energy partner with India's long-standing rival.

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Potential for Pakistani Emboldenment

By securing a public, high-level commitment from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan may feel emboldened in its policy towards India. This could lead to a more aggressive posture in future crises, particularly concerning issues like Kashmir. 

The knowledge that any Indian military action against Pakistan could be framed as aggression against Saudi Arabia may complicate India's strategic options and limit its ability to respond to cross-border terrorism.

Complicating India's Geopolitical Environment

 The pact introduces a new layer of complexity to India's relationships in the Middle East and South Asia. While India has been steadily building its own strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, the defense deal with Pakistan forces India to navigate a more unpredictable geopolitical landscape. 

It could make it harder for New Delhi to maintain its delicate balancing act of strong ties with both Riyadh and its regional rivals.

A Shift in Regional Power Dynamics

 The alliance combines Saudi Arabia's economic and political clout with Pakistan's military and nuclear capabilities. This creates a new security bloc that challenges the existing balance of power in both South Asia and the Middle East. It could trigger a new arms race and lead to greater unpredictability on India's western flank.

While the full operational details of the "Islamic NATO" remain to be seen, the symbolic and strategic significance of the agreement is undeniable. 

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It marks a fundamental shift in regional security dynamics, formalizing a long-standing rivalry and presenting a significant challenge to India's geopolitical and military calculus. New Delhi's task will be to carefully study the implications and adapt its foreign and security policies to this new reality.