Issue Brief on “Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA): Symbolism and Implications”

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) on September 17, 2025. While the agreement represents solidifying long-standing defence cooperation that the two countries have shared for decades, there has been a large amount of speculation on its significance. Some speculations contend that Pakistan would be providing a nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia, get militarily involved in military conflicts, and may pose a threat to certain neighbors. Some are interpreting it as a Saudi step away from the U.S. as it came in the wake of recent Israeli strikes on Qatar that shook the region.[1] Others are interpreting it as a threat to India. Therefore, it is important to unpack what this defence agreement is about. Myth must be separated from reality so that guesses and speculation may be laid to rest.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince, and Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's Prime Minister, signed the "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement" during the latter's visit to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan's Foreign Office has stated: "This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."[2] There is a defence cooperation element to the agreement. This essentially solidifies the long-standing defence cooperation that the two countries have had for decades.

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