‘Islamic Nato’? Why Pakistan’s new defence pact has India on edge

A brand new defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey has raised questions in New Delhi over whether or not Islamabad may use the settlement to construct wider safety ties with Muslim-majority nations in India’s neighbourhood, analysts have mentioned.

The Mecca Joint Defence Settlement, signed on Friday, states that an armed assault on any one of many three nations could be handled as an assault on all of them.

The tripartite settlement adopted a bilateral one between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed final September.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday described the pact as a attainable mannequin for a wider navy alliance amongst Islamic nations, evaluating such a grouping to Nato.

Whereas Islamic nations are nonetheless extra prone to prioritise nationwide pursuits over spiritual solidarity, analysts say Delhi will must be cautious as a result of Pakistan has framed the pact as a possible platform for broader cooperation.

Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets perform at a rehearsal in Islamabad in March 2024. Bangladesh has been in talks to buy these jets as part of its military modernisation plans. Photo: AFP — Pakistan Air Drive JF-17 fighter jets carry out at a rehearsal in Islamabad in March 2024. Bangladesh has been in talks to purchase these jets as a part of its navy modernisation plans. Picture: AFP

The event comes as Bangladesh explores shopping for JF-17 Thunder fighter jets – co-developed by China and Pakistan – from Islamabad as a part of Dhaka’s navy modernisation plans.

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