What the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Pact Means for South Asia

What the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Pact Means for South Asia

The mutual defense agreement could make Islamabad even more risk-tolerant.

Mohammed bin Salman, in a red and white checkered ghutrah and robes, embraces Shehbaz Sharif, wearing a dark blue suit and green tie September 23, 2025, 4:51 PM Comment icon View Comments ( )

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a defense pact last week that provides mutual security guarantees. The agreement is likely to have ramifications for South Asia, as it comes as a particularly fraught moment in the region. It follows the short but intense India-Pakistan conflict in May, after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi says was sponsored by Islamabad.

In the wake of the May military skirmish, Indian officials were piq