Most importantly, it must be viewed from the perspective of the changing geopolitics of the Middle East region and not from the sub-continental context. The Strategic Mutual Defence Pact, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is essentially meant for Middle East cooperation and has nothing to do with India. Given its tensions with Iran, Turkey, and Syria, the Saudi monarchy is looking for alternatives to meet its security interests. The pact must be understood in the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s balancing act. While relying on Pakistan for military muscle, the Kingdom has sought economic diversification and stable partnerships with rising powers like India.