India’s Strategic Calm: Why New Delhi Isn’t Alarmed by the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Pact

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by

Himanshu
in

In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formally signed a mutual defence agreement that proclaims an attack on either nation would be treated as an attack on both. In policy circles, such a pact normally raises eyebrows — especially in neighbouring India. Yet New Delhi has remained conspicuously calm. Why? Because India’s confidence in its own geopolitical and military standing far outweighs concerns about symbolic alliances.

This article unpacks the pact’s details, places it in a wider regional context, and explains why India isn’t rattled — even though Pakistan enjoys support from major powers such as China and the United States. In fact, when India does not panic over China’s deep involvement with Pakistan or America’s periodic overtures to Islamabad, it’s hardly going to be unsettled by a Saudi military partnership, especially with Riyadh’s modest hard-power capabilities.

What the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Pact Means

The agreement essentially lays down a promise of collective defence. Any aggression against one state is to be considered aggression against the other. It also codifies expanded military cooperation, training exchanges, and intelligence sharing.

Key Clauses of the Pact

Clause / FeatureExplanation
Mutual Defence CommitmentAttack on one = attack on both, implying coordinated response to external threats.
Joint Military CooperationInstitutionalised exercises, training, intelligence-sharing, and logistics support.
Strategic AmbiguityBroad language leaves unclear whether nuclear deterrence or advanced weapons systems are included.
Formalisation of Existing TiesNot a sudden shift, but a codification of decades-long collaboration.

While the pact is historic on paper, its practical execution remains to be seen. Saudi Arabia has financial power and political reach, but limited indigenous military capability beyond its procurement of Western weaponry. Pakistan’s armed forces are more battle-hardened but stretched across multiple fronts. In short, this is more a political signal than an immediate game-changer.

Regional Context: Power Realignments in the Gulf

This pact is part of a broader pattern where Gulf states diversify security partnerships beyond traditional Western guarantors. Saudi Arabia’s outreach to Pakistan is not surprising, given Islamabad’s longstanding role in training Saudi forces and providing security personnel. However, Riyadh also simultaneously maintains strong trade and energy ties with India.

India, for its part, has quietly expanded its own influence in the Gulf through investments, diaspora engagement, and counter-terrorism cooperation. As a result, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia trumpet a new chapter of “brotherhood,” New Delhi continues business as usual — deepening strategic and economic links across the region.

India’s Perspective: Strategic Confidence, Not Complacency

India’s calm response is rooted in a few realities:

  1. Track Record of Resilience
    New Delhi has weathered far more consequential alignments before. China is Pakistan’s all-weather partner, with deep defence and infrastructure ties, yet India has managed to deter large-scale escalation through its own military strength and diplomatic reach. The United States, a global superpower, has periodically supported Pakistan, but India has still grown into a major economy and security actor. Compared to those alignments, Saudi Arabia’s partnership is a minor ripple.
  2. Saudi Arabia’s Limited Hard Power
    Saudi Arabia’s military spending is vast, but its operational capability depends heavily on imported systems, foreign contractors, and external trainers. Without a self-reliant military-industrial base or combat experience comparable to Pakistan’s or India’s, Riyadh brings political weight and financing — but little direct combat capability to any alliance.
  3. India’s Diversified Gulf Relations
    India has cultivated strong relationships not only with Saudi Arabia but also with the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This network of ties gives New Delhi resilience and leverage. It also means Gulf states cannot easily take anti-India positions without hurting their own economic interests.
  4. Credible Deterrence and Global Standing
    India’s conventional and strategic forces, combined with its growing role in international fora (G20, QUAD, BRICS+), give it a level of confidence unmatched in South Asia. This credibility limits the practical impact of symbolic pacts like the one between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Table: India’s Assessment of Key Supporters of Pakistan

Country Supporting PakistanLevel of SupportIndia’s Reaction
ChinaDeep military, economic, and strategic partnershipStrengthen deterrence, diplomatic balancing, infrastructure along borders
United StatesPeriodic security & financial assistanceMaintain diversified ties with US while safeguarding own interests
Saudi ArabiaFinancial & symbolic defence pactContinue strong economic and diaspora relations; minimal security concern

This table illustrates why India sees the Saudi pact as less significant than China’s or America’s ties to Pakistan.

Possible Implications for the Region

Although India is largely unbothered, the pact could still affect the regional balance in a few ways:

  • Political Boost for Pakistan: The agreement may embolden Islamabad diplomatically, projecting the image of broader support.
  • Signal to Other Gulf States: Saudi Arabia might be testing a new model of regional security autonomy.
  • Ambiguity About Advanced Weapons: Broad language about “all military means” leaves speculation about whether advanced weapons or deterrence arrangements are included.

Yet none of these scenarios fundamentally alter India’s security environment. New Delhi retains far superior economic clout, diversified partnerships, and credible defence capabilities.

Why India Remains Unshaken

India’s reaction boils down to confidence through capability. When a nation can credibly deter a nuclear-armed neighbour that enjoys backing from the world’s two major powers — China and the US — a Saudi-Pakistan pact with “zero indigenous military power” adds little new risk.

Moreover, India’s foreign policy emphasizes multi-alignment and pragmatic engagement. Even as Riyadh signs a defence pact with Islamabad, it simultaneously pursues multi-billion-dollar investments in India’s energy and infrastructure sectors. This dual track ensures that Saudi Arabia has no incentive to jeopardize its Indian ties over Pakistan’s disputes.

Finally, India’s strategic community sees these developments as an opportunity rather than a threat. By maintaining calm and avoiding overreaction, New Delhi signals maturity and stability — qualities that attract global investors and partners.

Outlook: Opportunities in Strategic Patience

Looking ahead, India will likely continue:

  • Deepening Gulf Partnerships — expanding economic, energy, and security ties with Saudi Arabia and others.
  • Enhancing Crisis Management — maintaining readiness without dramatizing symbolic alliances.
  • Leveraging Global Platforms — using multilateral forums to reinforce its status as a stabilising power in Asia.

By keeping its composure, India underscores its evolution from a reactive regional power to a confident global actor.

Disclaimer

This article is an independent analytical piece for informational purposes only. It does not represent the official position of any government or institution, nor does it provide military or legal advice. All scenarios described are based on open analysis and may evolve with changing geopolitical realities.