Saudi Arabia welcomes Shahbaz with F-15 jets, nuclear bomb deal… US and China silent on MBS’s move, understand India-Iran tensions

The NATO-like security agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has become a topic of discussion worldwide. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, who arrived to sign this historic agreement, were greeted by F-15 fighter jets upon entering Saudi Arabia. A nuclear security agreement was signed between Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Shahbaz Sharif. The Saudi Defense Minister announced that any enemy attack on Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be considered an attack on each other. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that with this agreement, Saudi Arabia has secured Pakistan’s nuclear security shield. Experts say that the security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will have implications for countries ranging from India to Iran and Israel. Furthermore, the silence of the US and China on this nuclear deal raises serious questions.

Speaking to Navbharat Times Online, international affairs expert Dr. Nishakant Ojha said that September 17th could prove to be a significant turning point in the politics of Asia and the Middle East. The strategic mutual defense agreement between the Saudi Prince and Shahbaz will not only give a new direction to the eight-decade-old Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relationship but will also redefine the regional balance of power between the two countries. He said that this agreement comes at a time when Israel is currently attacking Gaza and Netanyahu’s forces have launched missile attacks on Qatar. Nishakant Ojha explained that after Pakistan’s independence in 1947, Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to recognize Jinnah’s Islamic state.

Pakistan is developing a missile capable of attacking the United States

Nishkant Ojha explained that a “friendship treaty” was signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in 1951. The Pakistani army has been training the Saudi army for decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, approximately 20,000 Pakistani soldiers were stationed in Saudi Arabia. In 1998, when Pakistan tested a nuclear bomb and faced international sanctions, Saudi Arabia provided financial assistance. This latest deal will now allow the two countries to jointly produce weapons. This agreement comes at a time when questions are being raised about US security guarantees following the Israeli attack on Qatar.

The US has remained silent on this defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Previously, the Biden administration warned that Pakistan was developing nuclear missiles capable of striking the US. Former US diplomat for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has warned that Pakistan possesses the capability to launch a nuclear attack on Israel. Nishakant Ojha reported that China has not directly responded to this agreement. But it is clear that the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defense agreement is in the interest of China’s BRI project.

What is India’s concern about the deal?

Nishkant Ojha stated that India has given a measured response to this deal. The Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that they are studying the agreement to understand its impact on national security and regional stability. Ojha stated that this agreement has added further complexity to India-Pakistan relations, even as relations between India and Saudi Arabia have strengthened in recent years. Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia has reached approximately $42 billion. The Saudi Prince has promised to invest $100 billion in India. India may now initiate discussions with Saudi Arabia on this issue.

What is Iran’s reaction?

Shia Iran, a Sunni Muslim country, views this agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as hostile. Iran’s Foreign Minister has spoken to the Saudi Foreign Minister over the phone about this agreement with Pakistan. Nishakant Ojha believes that this agreement could further intensify the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. There is now a danger that Pakistan could become embroiled in Saudi Arabia’s regional rivalry, especially with Iran. Iran could expand its military alliance. Iran supports the Houthis, Saudi Arabia’s enemies. Houthi rebels have also attacked Saudi Arabia.

What do experts say about the Pakistani nuclear umbrella?

Pakistan’s Defense Minister has announced that nuclear bombs are now available to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi official has also stated that this defense agreement covers all types of military equipment. Nishakant Ojha says that while this nuclear security agreement has been reached, it does not provide a formal nuclear security guarantee. Pakistani analyst Syed Mohammad Ali says that Pakistan is confident in its conventional capabilities and has the power to enhance Saudi Arabia’s security without resorting to a nuclear option. Previously, Pakistan had a defense agreement with the United States during the Cold War, but it ended in the 1970s.