Attack on one of us is an attack on both, says Saudi Arabia-Pakistan pact, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact on Wednesday, defining an attack on either nation as an attack on both.
• The agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• The pact aims to develop defence cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.
• The timing of the pact is seen as a signal to Israel, particularly after its strike on Qatar.

Detailed Insights:

• The agreement signifies the first major defence decision by a Gulf Arab country following the attack on Qatar.
• Saudi Arabia has historically maintained close ties with Pakistan, providing financial support, including reported funding for Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.
• The defence relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia dates back decades, with Pakistani troops having been deployed to Saudi Arabia since the late 1960s.
• The pact could potentially include Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella extending to Saudi Arabia, especially amid rising tensions concerning Iran’s atomic program.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Mutual Defence Pact: An agreement where participating nations pledge to defend each other in case of an attack by a third party.
• Nuclear Umbrella: A guarantee by a nuclear weapon state to protect a non-nuclear ally.