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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations
Context:
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) during Pak Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s and Army Chief Asim Munir’s visit to Riyadh.
Read about:
What is the Gulf Cooperation Council?
What are the kye highlights of SMDA?
Key takeaways
- Although India and the Arab world share deep-rooted civilisational, historical, and religious bonds, New Delhi’s approach to the region for a long time was marked by ideological caution, concern over Pakistan, and reluctance to engage fully.
- Even as India’s dependence on the Gulf grew significantly — particularly after the oil crises of the 1970s–80s and the rise in Indian expatriate workers (now nearly 10 million) — political ties, especially with Saudi Arabia, remained limited.
- A shift began in the early 21st century with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh’s visit to Riyadh in 2000, followed by King Abdullah’s landmark 2006 trip to India — the first by a Saudi ruler in five decades.
- Under Prime Minister Modi, however, relations with the Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia, have advanced into one of the most important aspects of Indian foreign policy.
- Regular top-level exchanges and diplomatic outreach have expanded cooperation in energy, technology, trade, security, and connectivity, with new initiatives expected during Modi’s ongoing visits.
- Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has transitioned from a traditionally reactive role in regional politics to a more assertive one — intervening in Yemen, spearheading the Qatar blockade, and confronting Iran.
- Yet, MbS has also shown pragmatism by reconciling with Qatar, re-engaging with Turkey, reaching out to Iran, and signalling openness to normalize relations with Israel, conditional on progress toward a Palestinian state.
- At the same time, Riyadh is diversifying its foreign ties, moving beyond its reliance on Washington through strategic outreach to China, Russia, and emerging powers. Its entry into the expanded BRICS grouping and growing engagement with Africa and Latin America underline its pursuit of greater influence in a multipolar global order.
- Within the region, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remains central. Formed in 1981 by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, it was conceived as a mechanism to collectively address political, security, and economic challenges amid regional upheavals.
- Recently, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Saudi–Pakistan Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA), shortly after Israeli airstrikes on Qatar. While its exact terms are undisclosed, a joint statement declared that any attack on one would be treated as aggression against both. Responding to speculation, a senior Saudi official noted that the pact covers “all military means,” though denied specific mention of nuclear guarantees.
- The motivations of both countries differ. For Riyadh, and by extension the Arab Gulf, the pact represents an effort to reduce conflicts in the Middle East. The Saudi–Pakistan defence bond has historically rested on shared religious identity, Saudi financial aid, and Pakistani military backing.
- Pakistan’s involvement has been notable — Gen. Raheel Sharif has led the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition since 2015, and Pakistani troops were deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018 to assist in the Yemen war. Against this backdrop, Pakistan is seen as a reliable partner, especially as Arab states seek to counterbalance Israeli unilateralism in the region.
- The timing of the SMDA suggests that Israel’s strikes in Doha were a stronger trigger for the agreement than even the 2019 Houthi drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, highlighting the e