Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan defence deal: Is a new military bloc taking shape?

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are expected to deepen defence cooperation through a joint agreement in Jeddah. The proposed pact has renewed discussion around an ‘Islamic Nato’, though the final terms and mutual defence commitments are yet to be made public.

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on Friday, August 7, in a move that could deepen military cooperation between three major regional players. Sources close to the Saudi military and government told AFP that the agreement is expected during high-level meetings in the Red Sea city.

The planned deal comes at a tense time for West Asia, with the Iran war affecting regional security and shipping routes. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is due to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif and Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, with Pakistan’s foreign ministry saying the visit runs from August 6 to........

© News9Live