Archive · 19 Nov 2025
US Designates Saudi Arabia as Major Non-NATO Ally; Former Diplomat Raises Concerns
The US made Saudi Arabia a special ally, which gives them special military and financial benefits.
An Indian former diplomat is worried about some recent agreements between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, thinking they might be trying to help Pakistan more than India.
US President Trump declared Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally during a White House dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
This status grants Saudi Arabia access to specific financing options, priority military hardware purchases, and joint research programs
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal raised concerns about coordinated geopolitical moves involving the US, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan
Sibal noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have concluded a defense pact, and US Senator Marco Rubio is exploring a stronger partnership with Pakistan
Sibal suggested these developments aim to strengthen Pakistan's position against India
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal
- What
- Declared Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, raised concerns about geopolitical moves
- When
- Tuesday (local time), unspecified date for Sibal's post
- Where
- White House, unspecified location for Sibal's post
- Why
- To strengthen military cooperation, raise concerns about regional dynamics
US and Saudi Arabia
India
US-Saudi Alliance
US and Saudi Arabia
Strengthens military cooperation and regional influence
India
Potentially threatens India's regional interests
- MNNA Status
- Major Non-NATO Ally
- Benefits
- Specific financing options, priority military hardware purchases, joint research programs
- Other MNNA Countries
- Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia
- Pakistan-Saudi Defense Pact
- Concluded in 2021
- US-Pakistan Strategic Defense Agreement
- Signed in 2022