Analysts hail Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, KSA, Turkiye

Defence and diplomatic analysts have hailed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as a significant development with the potential to reshape the regional security landscape. They said the agreement had emerged against the backdrop of growing tensions between the United States and Iran and could strengthen collective defence, counter-terrorism cooperation and Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic position in the region.

Defence analyst Brigadier (R) Syed Ghazanfar Ali said regional developments, particularly tensions between the US and Iran, had contributed to the emergence of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

He said the United States had claimed responsibility for the security of the Gulf states, but Iranian drone and missile strikes had completely destroyed infrastructure in these countries. The Gulf states even had to evacuate their people from US bases in those countries. Therefore, there was a strong public call for a new defence pact, forcing the Gulf states to consider a security or defence agreement with Pakistan.

According to Brigadier (R) Ghazanfar Ali, Pakistan already had a defence pact with Saudi Arabia and had practically moved towards this broader defence arrangement. Pakistan demonstrated its military power during Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos against India and displayed its diplomatic strength through forceful mediation between the US and Iran.

“The world has recognised Pakistan’s military power. Factually, the world pays heed only to those countries which have military power,” he said.

He added that Pakistan had also brought the US and Iran towards a ceasefire MoU through coercive diplomacy.

Brigadier (R) Ghazanfar Ali said Pakistan had historical ties with Turkiye, which is also a leading military power and a NATO member. Turkiye is also known worldwide for its drone technology. According to him, the defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had now been further formalised with the support of Turkiye.

He said the three countries would ensure counter-terrorism cooperation and would not allow non-state actors to carry out activities against any of them.

He added that the pact would also hamper India from committing genocide in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and even in Gaza. He alleged that India had been involved in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

He said the pact would also check Indian sponsorship of terrorism, which he alleged was being carried out in Pakistan through Afghanistan. Egypt and Kuwait could also join the pact in the future, he added.

Former diplomat Ambassador Waheed Ahmad said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had been discussing the pact for quite some time. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had now further refined the agreement, with Turkiye joining the arrangement.

He said Muslim countries were attaching importance to the agreement against the backdrop of tensions between Iran and the United States.

According to Ambassador Waheed Ahmad, the pact also had symbolic significance as all three countries took an oath at the Kaaba to honour the agreement.

He described the pact as a win-win situation for all three countries, stressing that it was not directed against any particular country.

“Wars are ended and decided on negotiation tables,” he said, adding that some sort of agreement between the US and Iran could also be expected.

He said the pact could eventually prove to be a game-changer for the entire Middle East, with countries such as Iran and others potentially joining it in the future.

Ambassador Waheed Ahmad said the United Arab Emirates might abstain from joining the pact for the time being but could become part of it later. He also warned that spoiler and hostile countries could attempt to sabotage the agreement, claiming that Afghanistan and India would not want to see a strong Pakistan.

Former diplomat Ambassador A.M. Shahid said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had been holding talks on the pact and that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also involved in the process.

He described the development as welcome, saying that all three countries would jointly defend one another against any attack.

Ambassador A.M. Shahid said Turkiye was producing state-of-the-art weapons and other defence equipment. Pakistan, he added, already had numerous defence-sector agreements with Gulf and Arab countries involving the provision of military training to their troops.

He expressed hope that Egypt would also join the pact, saying that its inclusion could reshape the security landscape of the Middle East.

The former diplomat said the agreement could also have a positive impact on a possible US-Iran deal because it had strengthened Pakistan’s diplomatic stature.

He said the pact would have implications for both friendly and adversarial countries. According to him, the agreement would significantly enhance the defence capabilities of all three countries by bringing their military and economic strengths together.

Ambassador A.M. Shahid said the pact might not be digestible to India, Israel and other hostile countries despite its defensive rather than aggressive nature.

He further said other countries could also consider joining the pact to benefit from a nuclear umbrella for their defence. He expressed hope that Bangladesh and Indonesia could also become part of the arrangement in the future.