PYQ Relevance:[UPSC 2018] In what ways would the ongoing US–Iran Nuclear Pact controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation? Linkage: The Saudi–Pakistan SMDA, like the earlier US–Iran Nuclear Pact controversy, reshapes West Asian alignments and directly impacts India’s energy security, diaspora safety, and regional stability. Just as India had to balance between Iran, the U.S., and Gulf partners in 2018, it must now carefully hedge between Riyadh and Islamabad while safeguarding its own strategic interests. |
Mentor’s Comment
The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025 has been described as a pact of optics rather than substance. Its timing, context, and asymmetrical calculations raise questions on whether it strengthens West Asian security or merely signals short-term adjustments. For UPSC aspirants, this episode provides insights into the shifting geopolitics of South West Asia, Pakistan’s strategic opportunism, Saudi Arabia’s security dilemmas, and India’s balancing role.
Introduction
On 17 September 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Premier Shahbaz Sharif signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh, with Field Marshal Asim Munir in attendance. While presented as a landmark pact, its real significance lies in the optics of security reassurance amid the shifting sands of Middle Eastern politics. Both nations have a chequered past of military cooperation, rooted in shared faith but divided by divergent threat perceptions. The agreement’s asymmetrical benefits, U.S. undertones, and implications for India make it geopolitically consequential.
Why is the SMDA in the news and why is it significant?
- First major pact in decades: The last high-point of Saudi–Pakistan defence ties was in the 1979–89 period, when 20,000 Pakistani troops protected Saudi Arabia and the Holy Harams.
- Optical reassurance: The SMDA is viewed more as a symbolic gesture than a substantive alliance, designed to show unity amidst rising threats from Iran, Yemen, and Israel.
- Geopolitical urgency: Triggered by the September 9 Israeli air strike in Doha (Qatar), the pact signals waning U.S. credibility as a security guarantor for the Gulf.
- Big deal: Pakistan is now a declared nuclear state, raising speculation of nuclear cooperation with Riyadh, though practical transfer remains improbable.
What has been the history of Saudi-Pakistan defence cooperation?
- Golden phase (1979–89): 20,000 Pakistani soldiers stationed in Saudi Arabia to protect the monarchy and act against Iran and Yemen.
- Saudi view: Treated Pakistani forces as paid Praetorian Guards, limiting their autonomy.
- Pakistani view: Resented lack of command; exclusion of Shia troops created tensions.
- 1990 onwards: Pakistan refused Saudi requests during major crises (Iraq’s Kuwait invasion, Yemeni war), limiting its role to protecting the Holy Harams.
How has the United States influenced the SMDA?
- Pentagon as the guarantor: U.S. historically underpinned Saudi–Pak defence ties “over-the-horizon.”
- Trump’s role: In June 2025, Field Marshal Munir’s “private lunch” with Trump in Washington signalled Washington’s blessing.
- Israeli factor: Saudi Arabia wanted a U.S. defence pact and nuclear technology in exchange for recognising Israel. The Hamas attack on Israel in Oct 2023 derailed the plan, leaving the SMDA as a consolation prize.
- Credibility gap: The U.S. failure to defend Qatar against Israeli strikes exposed fragility in Gulf security guarantees.
What are Riyadh’s calculations from the SMDA?
- Avoid Arab troops: Past experience with Arab/Turkish troops created risks of “political pollination.
- Massive arms imports: Saudi Arabia has ordered $100 billion worth of U.S. weapons in 2025.
- Nuclear hedge: Pakistan’s nuclear capability could deter Iran if it goes nuclear.
- Chinese factor: Pakistan’s ties with China may complicate Riyadh’s trust.
- Realistic expectation: Riyadh foresees smaller Pakistani footprints than before, given past frictions.
What are Islamabad’s calculations from the SMDA?
- Asymmetrical gains: No intention to fight Saudi wars against Iran, Yemen, or Israel.
- Strategic opportunism: Exploit Saudi insecurity to gain funds, oil, defence hardware, and training.
- Personal aggrandisement:Pakistan’s military elite aim to monetise “IOUs” from Riyadh and Washington.
- Regional calculus: Hopes trilateral axis will offset its strategic disadvantage against India.
What does the SMDA mean for India?
- Energy linkages: India is the third-largest oil importer and among Saudi’s top trade partners.
- Diaspora factor: Largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, valued for skills and neutrality.
- Diplomatic capital: Post-2014 outreach has created defence and intelligence-sharing frameworks.
- Saudi balancing act: Riyadh assured Reuters that ties with India remain “robust,” acknowledging India’s nuclear status and geoeconomic heft.
- Implication: India must remain vigilant, building greater Arabian Sea synergies to counterbalance tactical moves by Pakistan.
Conclusion
The Saudi–Pakistan pact is less a robust security alliance and more a political insurance policy, crafted in haste amid shifting regional dynamics. While it temporarily reassures Riyadh and monetarily benefits Islamabad, its sustainability remains doubtful due to divergent threat perceptions, nuclear sensitivities, and overlapping U.S.–China rivalries. For India, the SMDA underscores the need to strengthen its energy diplomacy, diaspora leverage, and strategic partnerships with Riyadh, while maintaining watchfulness over Pakistan’s manoeuvres.
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