Why in News :On September 17, 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh.
Background of Saudi–Pakistan Defence Ties
- Origins (1951): Defence links formalised soon after Pakistan’s creation.
- Golden Period (1979–89): ~20,000 Pakistani troops stationed in Saudi Arabia to protect holy sites and counter Iran/Yemen.
- Post-1990 Decline: Pakistan withdrew troops; later refused deployments during 1990 Kuwait crisis and 2015 Yemen war.
- Perceptions: Saudis treated Pakistanis as “paid guards,” while Pakistani officers resented subordination. Sectarian (Shia exclusion) issues further strained ties.
- U.S. Factor: Pentagon traditionally shaped this alliance. Recent Trump–Munir meeting suggests U.S. nudging behind SMDA.
Saudi Calculations
1. Declining U.S. security umbrella: Israeli strike on Qatar (2025) exposed U.S. reluctance to defend GCC allies.
2. Avoidance of Arab/Turkish troops: To prevent domestic political contagion.
3. Nuclear hedge: Pakistan’s nuclear status could deter Iran if it goes nuclear.
4. Weapons buildup: Riyadh already ordered ~$100 bn U.S. arms; SMDA supplements deterrence.
Pakistan’s Calculations
- Economic Lifeline: Oil supplies and Saudi funds to rescue its fragile economy.
- Military Hardware & Training: Access to advanced Saudi equipment.
- Strategic Leverage vs India: Use Saudi insecurity to extract geopolitical concessions.
- Limited Commitment: No intention to fight Iran, Yemen, or Israel directly; mainly transactional gains.
Key Challenges
- Historical mistrust between Saudi monarchy and Pakistani military.
- Divergent threat perceptions: Riyadh vs Tehran, Islamabad vs New Delhi/Kabul.
- Pakistan’s China & Iran ties complicate alignment with Saudi–U.S. bloc.
- Nuclear sensitivities: Technology transfer unlikely due to Israeli red lines, though A.Q. Khan precedent fuels suspicion.
- Domestic & sectarian politics: Shia exclusion, clerical opposition to foreign troops.
- Credibility gap: Pakistan’s past refusals (1990, 2015) show it avoids costly interventions.
- Optics vs reality: More symbolic “insurance policy” than substantive defence guarantee.
Implications for India
1. Energy Security: As world’s 3rd largest oil importer, India must safeguard supplies amidst shifting Saudi alignments.
2. Diaspora Factor: Over 2 million Indians in Saudi Arabia depend on stable bilateral ties.
3. Strategic Balance: Riyadh explicitly stated its intent to balance Pakistan with India, “also a nuclear power.”
4. Economic Partnership: Saudi plans $100 bn investment in India; strong trade (India = 2nd largest Saudi partner).
5. Defence Cooperation: India–Saudi defence/intelligence ties since 2014 offer a counterweight to SMDA.
6. Diplomatic Leverage: Riyadh reportedly kept New Delhi informed during SMDA talks — shows India’s weight in Saudi calculus.
7. Cautionary Note: SMDA could give Rawalpindi indirect confidence, though India’s economic heft tempers Saudi tilt.
Conclusion
The SMDA reflects Saudi Arabia’s insecurity and Pakistan’s opportunism rather than a genuine long-term alliance. For Riyadh, it is a hedge amid declining U.S. reliability and Iran’s rise. For Islamabad, it is a financial and strategic rent-seeking opportunity.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II (IR & International Relations):
- India–West Asia relations, Saudi balancing between India and Pakistan.
- Strategic agreements and their impact on regional stability.
Mains Practice Question
Q. “The 2025 Saudi–Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) is more symbolic than substantive. Analyse the motivations of Riyadh and Islamabad, and discuss its implications for India.” (250 words)