Defense Diplomacy and Regional Order: A Critical Study of the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Security Alliance in the 21st Century

Abstract

This paper analyzes the development and impact of the Pak–Saudi security partnership in the 21st century, specifically emphasizing the mutual defense agreement that was signed in September 2025. While historical military cooperation between the two states dates back to the Cold War, the recent formalization of a defense treaty marks a significant transformation in bilateral defense diplomacy. The study employs a qualitative, critical approach to analyze how instruments of defense diplomacy including military training, joint exercises, arms transfers and declaratory nuclear signaling, have been utilized to strengthen bilateral trust and reshape regional order. The paper argues that the alliance is driven by converging strategic interests; shared threat perceptions, uncertainty over great-power commitments and domestic political-economic incentives. By formalizing commitments, the pact enhances Saudi deterrence posture and offers Pakistan political and financial dividends. However, the study also highlights risks of entanglement, nuclear ambiguity and escalation dynamics that may destabilize the broader Middle East and South Asian security landscape. Through historical contextualization and critical assessment, the article demonstrates that while the Pakistan–Saudi defense alliance has the potential to promote deterrence and regional balance, its durability and stabilizing capacity depend on calibrated implementation, crisis communication and restraint in nuclear signaling. Policy recommendations include clarifying doctrinal scope, institutionalizing crisis management mechanisms, engaging regional stakeholders and complementing military cooperation with economic and humanitarian initiatives. The results add to the existing research on defense diplomacy by demonstrating how bilateral partnerships can both reinforce and challenge regional security frameworks in the 21^st  century.