Pakistan Extends Nuclear Umbrella to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella will now cover Saudi Arabia, a source close to the kingdom’s government told AFP on Sunday. The announcement comes just days after the two allies signed a mutual defence treaty, in a move described as a surprise by international observers.

The source indicated that the deal had been in development for several years, and that Saudi Arabia expected Pakistan’s arch-rival India to understand the kingdom’s security requirements.

When asked whether the deal meant that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could be used to defend Saudi Arabia, Ali Shihabi, an analyst close to the Saudi royal court, stated:”Yes, it does. Nuclear is integral to this deal. Pakistan remembers that the kingdom effectively financed their nuclear programme and supported them when they were sanctioned.”

Shihabi added:”India will understand the security needs of Saudi Arabia. Saudi maintains excellent ties with India.”

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly confirmed to a local broadcaster that the country’s nuclear programme would be made available to Saudi Arabia if required, following the signing of the agreement.

The mutual defence pact was signed in Riyadh shortly after an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in neighbouring Qatar, which sent shock waves through the Gulf states, long dependent on the United States for security.

The agreement also follows an intense four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May, which resulted in over 70 deaths on both sides from missile, drone, and artillery fire — the worst clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbours since 1999.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia in April but cut the trip short following a deadly shooting attack on tourists in India that precipitated the conflict.

Historically, India and Pakistan have accused each other of supporting militant forces to destabilise one another. Saudi Arabia is believed to have played a key role in defusing the recent conflict.

Saudi Arabia has been a major supplier of oil to India, which remains heavily reliant on petroleum imports. According to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia is India’s third-largest oil supplier.

At the same time, Pakistan has maintained close ties with Riyadh for decades, with over 2.5 million Pakistani nationals estimated to be living and working in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has also been a pillar of economic support for Pakistan’s struggling economy.