Turkey is in ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan about joining or expanding a regional defence framework, but officials insist no formal agreement has yet been signed, according to international news reports and official statements.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed this week that Ankara is engaged in dialogue with Riyadh and Islamabad, emphasizing Türkiye’s goal of building a broader regional security platform rather than a traditional, tightly bound military pact. “Talks have been held, but no agreement has been signed,” Fidan said, stressing the need for enhanced cooperation and trust among neighbouring states.
Background: Saudi–Pakistan Defence Pact
The current conversation about including Turkey builds on a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on 17 September 2025. Under that pact, both nations pledged that any aggression against one shall be considered aggression against both, a clause echoing collective security principles seen in alliances like NATO.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister has described the agreement as a “defensive umbrella,” suggesting that Pakistan’s capabilities — including its status as a nuclear-armed state — would contribute to joint deterrence if needed.
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Talks on Expansion and a Potential Three-Way Framework
International reporting, including by Bloomberg, indicates that Turkey has expressed interest in becoming part of an expanded defence grouping with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that negotiations are in advanced stages and could reshape the regional security balance if Ankara joins the framework.
Separately, Pakistani officials have acknowledged a draft trilateral defence agreement involving the three countries after nearly a year of discussions. According to Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production, Raza Hayat Harraj, the draft has been shared with all three governments and is being considered, though final consensus has yet to be reached.
Experts and analysts see this potential expansion as part of a broader effort by regional powers to develop multipolar security cooperation independent of existing Western-led frameworks. Commentators note that such initiatives could serve as a flexible platform for intelligence sharing, joint operations and deterrence strategies, without replicating a full NATO-style alliance.
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Strategic Significance and Broader Context
Expanding the Saudi–Pakistan defence pact to include Turkey would be significant for several reasons:
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Regional Balance: It could create a new axis of security cooperation across the Middle East and South Asia that functions outside traditional Western alliances.
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Shared Interests: All three states share security concerns — from tensions in West Asia to competition with rival powers — prompting deeper dialogue on joint responses to regional threats.
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Strategic Autonomy: Türkiye’s foreign policy has increasingly stressed regional ownership of security solutions, aligning with its vision of a broader security platform rather than a narrow bilateral pact.
Despite intense speculation, Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on the possibility of Ankara’s formal inclusion. However, analysts argue that if the talks progress, the pact could evolve into a more structured network of commitments among Muslim-majority states, although it would still fall short of the rigid institutional frameworks found in NATO.
What Happens Next?
For the discussions to advance, Ankara, Riyadh and Islamabad would need to agree on common language for commitments, mechanisms for cooperation, and political consensus on the pact’s scope. Whether this evolves into a formal treaty, a looser cooperative platform, or something in between remains a major question for regional strategists watching geopolitics in West Asia and South Asia.
Story: BlazeBulletin Political Desk
Pics Courtesy: YT Videos still Images (Edited), Unsplash.com
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