Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Set to Sign Joint Defence Pact
Three countries — Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan — are getting ready to sign a big agreement about defence.
A defence agreement is a promise to help keep each other safe.
News reports say they will sign it on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
Some experts think this could lead to an 'Islamic NATO'.
NATO is a big group of countries that promise to defend each other.
Pakistan's defence minister said the agreement would bring peace to the region.
He also said the pact is not meant to be against any country.
Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already signed a similar defence pact.
Now Turkiye might join, and Qatar could join later.
India said it will watch closely to see how the pact affects its safety.
Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to Reuters.
The reported pact has fueled speculation about the emergence of an 'Islamic NATO' alliance among major Muslim-majority nations.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the existing Pakistan-Saudi Arabia framework could expand to include Qatar and Turkiye.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a 'Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement' last year during PM Shehbaz Sharif's state visit to Riyadh.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said it will closely study the pact's implications for its national security and regional and global stability.
- Who
- Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, with Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman involved in the defence cooperation.
- What
- The three countries are set to sign a joint defence agreement, amid speculation about an 'Islamic NATO' alliance.
- When
- Friday, according to Reuters.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- To expand defence and economic cooperation, enhance regional stability, and reduce dependence on outside the region.
Pact proponents
India's response
Intended purpose of the pact
Pact proponents
Pakistan's defence minister says the pact is not against anyone and is meant to protect peace and enhance stability within the region.
India's response
India says it will closely study the pact's implications for India's national security and for regional and global stability.
Expansion of the alliance
Pact proponents
Expanding the pact to include Qatar and Turkiye would be welcomed, as it brings defence cooperation to the region and minimises dependence on outside the region.
India's response
A broader 'Islamic NATO'-style arrangement among major Muslim-majority countries raises questions about its impact on regional and global stability.
- Signing date
- Friday
- Signing location
- Saudi Arabia
- Source of report
- Reuters, citing two regional sources
- Existing pact
- Pakistan-Saudi Arabia 'Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement' signed last year
- Potential expansion
- Qatar and Turkiye could join the existing framework
- Pakistan Defence Minister
- Khawaja Asif
- Speculated alliance
- 'Islamic NATO'
- Indian response
- MEA says it will closely study the pact's implications for India's national security
