New Delhi: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a strategic mutual defence agreement on Wednesday, a move that analysts believe could significantly alter South Asia’s security dynamics. The pact stipulates that any aggression against either country will be treated as an attack on both, strengthening Pakistan’s security posture.

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, geopolitical analyst and Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer said the pact will have far-reaching implications for India. “If I’m India, that has to factor into my calculations. That’s going to change life for India, no question,” he said.

Bremmer added that the agreement boosts Pakistan’s confidence and may influence its approach towards potential military confrontations with India, as Riyadh would now be expected to support Islamabad.

Bremmer also underlined that China remains Pakistan’s principal military ally but noted that Islamabad is expanding its network of partners. He highlighted that U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported crypto-related investments in Pakistan are also contributing to the country’s growing confidence.

The analyst further emphasized that Saudi Arabia has historically funded Pakistan’s nuclear and plutonium programs. “It had been an open secret that Saudi Arabia, in the event of a crisis, considered Pakistan’s nuclear program to be its emergency nuclear option,” Bremmer said.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, marking a new chapter in the two nations’ strategic relations.

India’s Response
Reacting to the development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government had been aware of discussions regarding the pact.

“We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability. The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains,” the MEA statement read.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India and Saudi Arabia share a “wide-ranging strategic partnership” that has strengthened significantly in recent years and expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia would take mutual sensitivities into account.

Pakistan is the only Islamic nation to possess nuclear weapons, and reports suggest that the new pact could potentially give Saudi Arabia access to Islamabad’s nuclear arsenal if required.