Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan each occupy strategically important positions and possess capabilities that are complementary rather than identical. Saudi Arabia has enormous economic and diplomatic weight and sits at the heart of the Gulf. Türkiye connects Europe, the Middle East and Asia and has developed a significant indigenous defence industry. Pakistan occupies a pivotal geographic position between South Asia, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf and Central Asia and possesses extensive military experience.

The agreement's openness to other regional countries makes this possibility even more significant. The Makkah Agreement could become a building block for a broader framework of regional consultation, crisis management and collective deterrence, provided it remains inclusive, defensive and respectful of international law. The initial response from beyond the three signatories is therefore important. Kuwait has felicitated Pakistan on the agreement, while Bahrain has welcomed it as an addition to the region's broader defence architecture. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has described it as an important strategic step with the potential to contribute to regional and wider Muslim-world stability. These reactions suggest that the agreement is already being viewed within a wider conversation about regional security. Security and Prosperity: That conversation should now move beyond defence.

The Gulf states, Türkiye, Pakistan and other regional countries face interconnected challenges: terrorism, maritime insecurity, energy security, missile and drone threats, cyber risks and the economic consequences of prolonged conflict. No single country can address all of these challenges in isolation. The........

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