Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye sign joint defence pact in Mecca

The Story in Brief

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca on August 7, pledging that an armed attack on one will be treated as an attack on all. The Hindu reports the pact was driven by shared anxieties over reduced US presence in West Asia and ongoing wars involving Iran and Israel. Pakistan brings nuclear weapons and a large military; Saudi Arabia offers oil wealth and influence; Türkiye contributes advanced drone production. The countries had announced a bilateral Pakistan-Saudi pact in September 2025 after Israel bombed Qatar.

The agreement comes months after a short aerial war between India and Pakistan in May 2025. The trio aims to build deterrence and interoperability, but The Hindu says the collective security promise is largely symbolic because it was signed amid existing conflicts. Saudi Arabia has already faced Iranian missile and drone attacks. The pact's credibility remains unproven, and it may not deter future attacks.