Saturday, March 29, 2025
Will Saudi Arabia Support Pakistan in a War With India? Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Responds
Islamabad, September 20, 2025 – Pakistan’s new defense pact with Saudi Arabia has sparked intense debate over its implications for South Asia, particularly in the event of a potential conflict with India.
The agreement, signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Riyadh, declares that an attack on one country will be considered an attack on the other—drawing comparisons to NATO’s Article 5. Analysts believe this move could present a serious strategic challenge for India.
Speaking to reporters, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described the accord as a framework for mutual cooperation rather than aggression. When asked directly if Saudi Arabia would back Pakistan in the event of an Indian attack, Asif replied: “There is no doubt about it.”
He added that although no specific country was named in the agreement, “whether an attack comes from any side, a joint response will be given.” Asif emphasized that it is a defensive pact, not an offensive one, but hinted at broader cooperation, including in the nuclear domain.
In a striking comment, the minister suggested that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal could be made available for Saudi Arabia’s use if needed. This statement is likely to draw global attention, given long-standing speculation about Riyadh’s interest in nuclear capabilities.
A Saudi official, while cautious, described the agreement as a comprehensive partnership that extends beyond military defense to include other forms of cooperation. The pact, therefore, is not limited to wartime commitments.
Tensions between India and Pakistan peaked in May 2025, when India carried out strikes on Pakistani militant bases. In retaliation, Pakistan targeted India, prompting New Delhi to hit back at least 11 Pakistani air installations. Against this backdrop, Islamabad’s new defense partnership with Riyadh is being closely watched in New Delhi.
Experts note that Pakistan brings nuclear capability but lacks resources, while Saudi Arabia has deep financial power but no nuclear weapons. This convergence of interests makes the pact mutually beneficial. Analysts also warn that other Arab states might join the agreement in the future, expanding its scope beyond bilateral cooperation.
For now, both Islamabad and Riyadh maintain that the pact is defensive in nature. But Khawaja Asif’s unequivocal statement leaves little doubt that, in the event of conflict with India, Saudi Arabia would stand firmly alongside Pakistan.
