Pakistan Offers Nuclear Umbrella to Saudi Arabia Under New Defence Pact: A Strategic Game-Changer in the Gulf:

In a major development with wide-ranging geopolitical implications, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that his country’s nuclear capabilities could be extended to Saudi Arabia under a newly signed mutual defence pact. This marks the first time Islamabad has openly acknowledged placing Saudi Arabia under its nuclear umbrella, raising concerns across the region — particularly in India and Israel. A Landmark Pact Speaking in an interview with Geo TV on Thursday, Asif said, “Let me make one point clear about Pakistan's nuclear capability: that capability was established long ago when we conducted tests. Since then, we have forces trained for the battlefield. What we have, our capabilities, will absolutely be available under this pact.” Signed on Wednesday, the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Pact outlines that an attack on either nation will be treated as an attack on both — a clause that echoes NATO-style collective defence arrangements. Asif described it as “an umbrella arrangement offered to one another: if there is aggression against either party – from any side – it will be jointly defended.” While Asif emphasized that nuclear weapons are "not on the radar" of the pact, his remarks hinted at the strategic depth the alliance could offer, especially amid rising tensions in the Middle East following Israeli military actions in the region. Nuclear Assurance and Openness Highlighting Pakistan’s nuclear transparency, the Defence Minister asserted that the country’s nuclear installations are open to international inspections. “All our nuclear installations are open to inspections. We get certificates for our facilities. We are an abiding nuclear power and don’t violate anything,” Asif said, drawing a contrast with Israel, which has long refused to allow oversight of its undeclared nuclear arsenal. He also underscored that Pakistan had “no intention” of using this deal for aggression but clarified that any threat to either party would activate the mutual defence clause. Implications for the Region The announcement has stirred strong reactions, particularly from India. On Friday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that New Delhi expects Saudi Arabia to take into account “mutual interests and sensitivities.” India, which has fought multiple wars with Pakistan and shares a tense border, said it would “take all necessary steps to ensure national security and protect its interests across all domains.” Geopolitical analyst Ian Bremmer, President of the Eurasia Group, described the development as “a game-changer” for India's security calculus. Speaking to India Today TV, Bremmer noted that the pact would not only strengthen Islamabad but also force New Delhi to reassess its strategic posture, particularly in light of Operation Sindoor — India’s recent covert action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Strategic Timing The pact comes at a time when the Gulf region is witnessing heightened instability, especially after Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders, including a deadly attack in Doha. Many analysts believe the Pakistan-Saudi defence agreement sends a direct message to Israel — long believed to be the region's only nuclear-armed state — that its dominance is now being quietly but firmly challenged. Saudi Arabia has long been suspected of financially supporting Pakistan’s nuclear program, although neither side has officially confirmed this. According to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Pakistan possesses an estimated 170 nuclear warheads, closely matching India’s arsenal of 172. A New Security Axis? While the pact currently covers only Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Asif hinted that it could be expanded to include other Gulf nations in the future. “We have no intention of using this pact for any aggression. But if the parties are threatened, then obviously this arrangement will become operative,” he said. With the region at a strategic inflection point, the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact could reshape alliances, shift power dynamics, and ignite a new era of nuclear diplomacy in the Middle East and South Asia.

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