‘Strategy is to…’: China welcomes Saudi-Pakistan defence deal, sees it as a move to corner India and Israel

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a defence agreement on Wednesday, stating that an attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both. The pact is meant to strengthen their decades-old security partnership at a time when tensions in the region are rising. The two nations have always shared close ties, with Saudi Arabia often described as Pakistan’s “ATM” because of its repeated financial support.

Pakistan, who already shares close defence ties with China, welcomed the new Saudi-Pakistan pact. Chinese analysts have described the agreement as part of a strategy aimed at putting pressure on India(BHARAT) and Israel.

The agreement comes as Saudi Arabia faces fresh security concerns. According to Global Times, Gulf countries have begun to question America’s reliability as their long-term security protector. Worries increased further after Israel’s recent attack on Qatar. In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said: “Any act of aggression against one will be considered an act of aggression against both.”

Asim Munir seen as architect of Saudi-Pakistan defence pact

After the signing of the defence agreement, Pakistan’s state television showed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman smiling and hugging each other. Media reports said that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was also present at the event. Munir, often described as the most powerful man in Pakistan, is believed to be the key figure behind this deal. Analysts say he understands that Pakistan’s army alone cannot defeat India(BHARAT), so he is trying to bring Saudi Arabia in as a strong security partner and source of pressure on New Delhi.

Rising India(BHARAT)-Israel concerns

According to Global Times, Chinese experts view the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact as both a response to current regional tensions and the outcome of their long-standing strategic relationship. Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, said: “The core clause of this agreement—treating an attack on one as an attack on both—is similar to the security guarantees found in formal military alliances. For Saudi Arabia, it strengthens its own security. For Pakistan, it acts as a counter-balance against India(BHARAT).”

Saudi-Pakistan ties behind defence pact

Zhu Yongbiao, Executive Director at the Belt and Road Research Center of Lanzhou University, said the agreement was finalised soon after the Israeli attack on Qatar. However, he stressed that the deal is less about reacting to a single incident and more about reflecting the decades-long close relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. According to him, Saudi Arabia has long provided Pakistan with economic, cultural, and humanitarian support, and this pact showcases the brotherhood and friendship the two countries have shared for many years.

Why Saudi Arabia chose Pakistan as a defence partner?

First, the two nations have consistently maintained close ties and regular strategic coordination. Second, Pakistan is a major South Asian country with a largely Muslim population and holds significant influence in the Islamic world. Most importantly, it is a nuclear power, and its foreign policy is often seen as flexible under external pressure. This makes it easier for Saudi Arabia to steer Pakistan in its desired direction.

At the same time, Zhu noted that Pakistan is unlikely to directly attack Israel, as doing so could provoke a strong reaction from the United States.