Dubai/Islamabad
Reuters
–
Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a formal mutual defense agreement on Wednesday.
As Gulf Arab countries become increasingly wary of the US’s reliability as long-standing security guarantors, strengthened defence bonds will emerge. Last week’s Israeli attack on Qatar raised these concerns.
“The agreement is the culmination of years of debate. It’s not a response to a particular country or a particular event, but rather an institutionalization of long-standing deep cooperation between the two countries,” a Saudi official said when asked Reuters about the timing.
Israel, which attempts to kill Hamas political leaders in Doha’s airstrikes, was debating a proposal for a ceasefire that Qatar brokered and infuriated the Arab states.
Agreements can shift strategic calculus in complex areas. Washington’s allies, Gulf monarchy, have sought to stabilize relations with both Iran and Israel in order to resolve years of security concerns.
However, the Gaza War overturned the region, and Qatar, the Gulf state, is exposed to direct hits by Iran and Israel once a year, twice a year.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Saudi Arabian official acknowledged the need to balance nuclear weapons with Pakistan’s rival India.
“Our relationship with India is more robust than ever. We will continue to grow this relationship and in any way we will contribute to local peace.”
Asked whether Pakistan is obligated to provide Saudi Arabia with a nuclear umbrella under the agreement, authorities said:
Pakistani state television has accepted after signing the contract, showing that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are de facto rulers. The attendees were former Army Chief Asim Munier, Pakistan’s army chief, who was considered the most powerful figure in the country.
“This agreement reflects the shared commitment of both countries to enhance security, achieving regional and global security and peace, and aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against attacks.
