The announcement by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif that Islamabad’s nuclear capabilities “will be made available" to Saudi Arabia under their newly signed mutual defence pact has sent shockwaves through the region. This is the first time Pakistan has explicitly acknowledged placing Saudi Arabia under its nuclear umbrella, a move with serious geopolitical and security implications for India, the Middle East, and the broader global order.

The timing of this declaration is significant. It comes amid a highly volatile Middle East scenario following Israel’s deadly strike on Doha targeting Hamas leaders, escalating tensions across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, long considered a US security partner, appears to be recalibrating its strategy after what many Arab nations see as Washington’s failure to restrain Israel or protect its allies. By leaning on Pakistan, Riyadh is signalling a shift that could destabilise the balance of power in the region.

For decades, Saudi Arabia has been suspected of having a covert arrangement with Pakistan regarding nuclear weapons. Pakistani nuclear scientist AQ Khan’s network was linked to proliferation activities, and numerous reports over the years have suggested that Saudi funding was instrumental in Islamabad’s nuclear programme. Retired Pakistani Brigadier General Feroz Hassan Khan himself admitted that Saudi Arabia’s “generous financial support" kept Pakistan’s nuclear efforts alive during periods of crippling US sanctions.

While the pact’s language is dramatic, an attack on one being treated as an attack on both, the question remains: will either side actually go to war for the other? Consider two scenarios.

If Israel were to strike Saudi Arabia directly, would Pakistan retaliate militarily, let alone with nuclear weapons?........

© News18