Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Expected to Finalize Joint Defence Agreement: Report

Speculation over closer military cooperation among several leading Muslim-majority nations has grown after reports claimed that Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Saudi Arabia on Friday. According to Reuters, which cited two regional sources familiar with the matter, the proposed pact has sparked renewed discussion about the possibility of an informal Islamic NATO—a term often used by analysts to describe a potential defence alliance among influential Muslim-majority countries.

The latest reports come months after Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested that the defence and economic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia could eventually be expanded to include countries such as Türkiye and Qatar. In an interview with Pakistani broadcaster Hum News in May, Asif said discussions on such a framework were progressing and that the initiative was at different stages of development. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs visit to Riyadh last year. The agreement commits both countries to treating any attack on one as an attack on the other, reinforcing their long-standing security relationship.

Speaking about the broader vision for regional cooperation, Asif said the proposed arrangement is intended to strengthen economic and defence ties within the region while reducing dependence on external powers. He noted that if Türkiye and Qatar were to join the existing Pakistan-Saudi Arabia framework, it could evolve into a wider regional partnership focused on mutual security and economic collaboration.

The Pakistani defence minister stressed that the initiative is not aimed at confronting any particular country. Instead, he said its primary objective is to promote peace, stability and greater regional self-reliance while maintaining constructive engagement with the wider international community. The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. A joint statement issued after the visit described the agreement as an extension of nearly eight decades of close bilateral ties, built on shared strategic interests, defence cooperation and longstanding relations between the two nations.

Following the signing of the defence pact last year, India said it would closely monitor the agreement and assess its implications. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that New Delhi had been aware the arrangement was under consideration and would carefully examine its potential impact on Indias national security, as well as on regional and global stability. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government remains committed to safeguarding Indias national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security across all domains while evaluating the strategic consequences of the agreement.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.