The Saudi-Pakistan 'Nuclear Umbrella' Pact: A New Geopolitical Equation in West Asia and its Implications for India
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (Bilateral and Multilateral agreements, Defence Pacts, Nuclear Proliferation, West Asia conflict); Indian Economy (India's energy security).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. The changing security architecture of West Asia is a core IR topic for India.
Key Highlights from the News
Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a crucial Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA).
Under this agreement, Pakistan's Defense Minister confirmed that Pakistan's nuclear capability would be available to Saudi Arabia, essentially providing a "nuclear umbrella" to Saudi Arabia.
Main reasons behind this agreement:
Israel's attack on Qatar increased security concerns among Gulf countries.
Dented credibility of U.S. security guarantees.
Nuclear threat from Iran.
This agreement is driven by asymmetrical calculations of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Saudi Arabia seeks security, while Pakistan aims for economic and military assistance.
This move is likely to change the military-strategic equations in the Middle East.
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