Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding relationship, with Pakistan willing to defend the holy sites of Mecca and Medina as Shia Iran threatened the Kingdom. Image: Pakistan has not ruled out other Islamic nations joining the coalition. Pic: ReutersRelations between Saudi Arabia, Gulf nations and India have improved considerably over the years. It added: "India and Saudi Arabia have a wide-ranging strategic partnership which has deepened considerably in the last few years. The Saudi-Pakistan deal aims to expand military cooperation, joint exercises and intelligence sharing to counter threats, terrorism and cross-border insurgencies.