The historic and unprecedented Raksha-Samjhota (Defence Pact) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has sent ripples across the global stage, particularly unsettling India, the United States, and Israel. This landmark agreement signals the strategic ascent of Pakistan under the hybrid leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. While Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed fraternal ties, the recent Israeli aggression against Doha, a wealthy and comparatively moderate Arab state, acted as a catalyst for elevating their partnership to new and unprecedented heights.
The pact not only bolsters Saudi Arabia's sense of security but also raises critical questions: Why was such a bold move necessary? Who created the conditions that made this possible? And how does it serve the wider interests of the Arab and Muslim world? More importantly, will this alliance serve merely bilateral interests, or will it further the broader cause of the Muslim Ummah?
Several recent developments in international affairs should serve as a wake-up call for the Muslim world, though, regrettably, much of it remains indifferent. To begin with, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan after expending trillions of dollars and suffering significant human losses, culminated in the Taliban’s return to power. This failure undermined American military morale and echoed the Soviet Union’s earlier defeat in the region. The dream of securing strategic dominance in Afghanistan, particularly to access warm waters, has once again proven futile. Afghanistan, by its very nature, resists long-term occupation. No foreign power has managed to maintain control there, and history has repeated itself.
Simultaneously, Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza and its brazen assaults on neighbouring Muslim nations, including Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and most notably Doha, have triggered alarm bells, if only in terms of self-preservation. It is a well-established fact that Israel acts with the full political and military backing of the United States, including the provision of advanced weaponry. Washington's repeated vetoes at the United Nations in defence of Israel are a matter of public record. The aggressive Zionist agenda pursued by Netanyahu has forced Arab nations to confront a harsh reality: lacking a unified or sufficiently powerful military force of their own, they are ill-equipped to counter Israeli aggression alone.
The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Pact marks a significant step toward Muslim unity; however, such an alliance will not be easily tolerated by the global troika of Israel, India, and the United States
Iran, long targeted by crippling American sanctions, has often been portrayed as a threat to Arab security. However, recent developments have flipped this narrative. It is increasingly clear that Israel, not Iran, poses the more immediate and existential threat to the Arab and Muslim world. Iran’s bold missile strikes deep into Israeli territory forced Tel Aviv to seek intervention from President Trump to prevent escalation. Although Iran also sustained damage, its show of strength sent a clear message: when a nation is resolved to defend itself, even Israel's dominance can be challenged. Iran has proven that, with coordinated support from just a few Muslim countries, a formidable resistance can emerge.
Turning to the subcontinent, the Pakistan-India conflict continues to simmer. Following India’s false-flag operation and airstrike on Balakot, Pakistan responded decisively by downing two Indian fighter jets and capturing Wing Commander Abhinandan, who was treated with dignity by the Pakistani Armed Forces. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later lamented that, had Rafale jets been part of the Indian Air Force, Pakistan could not have achieved that success.
Yet in May 2025, India repeated its aggression. This time, Pakistan shot down five Indian jets, including two Rafales, marking a strategic and symbolic victory. For the first time in history, a Rafale fighter jet was neutralised in combat, and Pakistan achieved this feat. This unexpected blow humiliated India on the global stage and elevated Pakistan's standing, particularly in the eyes of the Muslim world.
For more than two years, Israel has carried out an unrelenting genocide in Gaza. While massive rallies have erupted in Western capitals, the Muslim world has largely remained silent, barring isolated protests in a few countries. Ironically, Western voices such as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have shown more moral courage in intercepting Israeli-bound ships than most Muslim leaders. The United Kingdom has also seen widespread public mobilisation. These actions contrast sharply with the inaction of the Muslim world and highlight a painful truth.
Recently, Mr Mushahid Hussain Sayed, a renowned global affairs expert and seasoned politician, stated in an interview with news anchor Kamran Khan that it is an opportune moment for Pakistan to pursue a “Grand Bargain” with Saudi Arabia through this strategic pact. He emphasised that Pakistan should seek Saudi support in managing its debt obligations, noting that such assistance would represent only a modest sum for the Kingdom. Further, Saudi Arabia had made a huge investment in India.
It is argued that this new alignment with Pakistan is causing unease in New Delhi, as it poses a potential threat to India’s economic and strategic interests, and this Raksha-Samjhota will have any negative impact on the investment of Saudi Arabia in India, or it will go on routinely. Because it is also believed that Arab countries are very smart in protecting their interests, whether economic or strategic, let us see.
In conclusion, the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Pact marks a significant step toward Muslim unity; however, such an alliance will not be easily tolerated by the global troika of Israel, India, and the United States. History is replete with examples of Muslim leaders such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, King Faisal, Muammar Gaddafi, and Yasser Arafat, who faced dire consequences for challenging this hegemonic order.
The U.S. and Israel have strategically positioned their influence across the Muslim world and are likely to respond aggressively to any attempt at strategic consolidation. It remains to be seen whether the Raksha-Samjhota will genuinely benefit causes like Gaza and Kashmir or remain a bilateral accord limited to strategic interests. Either way, the Muslim world stands at a crossroads, and history will judge its choices.