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Saudi Arabia Will Defend Pakistan If India Wages War: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

written by Prakash Kl Source

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oi-Prakash KL

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Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said that Saudi Arabia has committed to defending Pakistan if India were to declare war against it. This affirmation highlights the 'strategic mutual assistance' component of a new defense agreement signed between the two nations this week, NDTV reported.

Minister Asif, speaking to the Pakistani news channel Geo TV, left no room for doubt, stating, "Yes, absolutely. There is no doubt about it." He compared the pact to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which enshrines the principle of 'collective defense,' meaning an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated that Saudi Arabia has committed to defending Pakistan in case of war with India, as per a new defense agreement signed this week; this agreement includes the availability of Pakistan's nuclear capabilities for Saudi Arabia's defense, and India is studying the security impact.

Saudi Arabia Will Defend Pakistan If India Wager War Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

He was careful to stress that the arrangement with Saudi Arabia is purely defensive, mirroring NATO's stance. "If there is aggression, whether against Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, we will jointly defend against it," he explained. In a separate comment to Reuters, Asif reiterated, "We have no intention of using this pact for any aggression... But if the parties are threatened, then obviously this arrangement will become operative."

A key aspect of the agreement involves nuclear weapons. Asif confirmed that Pakistan's nuclear capabilities would be available for Saudi Arabia's defense under this pact, despite Pakistan's longstanding doctrine that its warheads are solely for use against India.

"Our capabilities will absolutely be available under this pact," he said, adding that Pakistan has a clean record of allowing inspections of its nuclear facilities. A senior Saudi official, when asked if this obligates Pakistan to provide a nuclear shield, told Reuters the deal is a "comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means."

The mutual defense agreement was formalized during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Riyadh. A key clause stipulates that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."

In response to the pact, the Indian government acknowledged that it "formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries" and stated that its implications are under consideration.

Military and political analysts view the deal as a union of Riyadh's financial power with Islamabad's nuclear arsenal, representing a major strategic victory for both nations. For Pakistan, it provides formidable financial backing and the potential for a broader 'Arab nations alliance.' For Saudi Arabia, it secures a 'nuclear shield,' altering the strategic balance in a region where Israel has been the only West Asian nation with access to nuclear weapons. This development is also expected to be closely monitored by Iran.

India and Pakistan's ties have hit a new low following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and in the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on May 7. In response, Pakistan tried to attack the border regions but India successfully neutralised drone, and missile attacks.

India targeted runways, hangars, command and control centres, radar bases, missile sites and weapon storage areas. New Delhi also struck Pakistani military bases at Rafiqui, Murid, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian while causing damage to the air bases in Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad and Sargodha.

However, the operation was put on pause after Islamabad called Delhi twice for a ceasefire on May 10.

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written by Prakash Kl Source

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