Saudi-Pakistan Security Deal: Is A China-Led Bloc Rising And India Losing Influence In The Gulf? US Expert Explains | World News
New Delhi: The shock waves of Israel’s attack on Qatar were also felt in the Gulf. Just eight days later, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a nuclear security agreement, raising questions about regional security dynamics. According to the agreement, any attack on any country will be considered an attack on another.
American expert Jean Loop thinks that this move is closely linked to the Qatar incident, especially since Qatar was under US security guarantees at that time.
“This agreement is more important for India’s interests in the Gulf than for the United States,” he said, adding that analysts were quickly starting to see it as a challenge to India’s influence.
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A Long-Term Relationship
In an article he wrote for the Atlantic Council, Loop explained that the Saudi-Pakistan relationship itself is not new. Both countries have historically shared close ties on labor and security. Riyadh has long relied on Pakistani troops for military training, and the Pakistan Army has been deployed in the Kingdom since 1963. These troops guard important sites, including Mecca and Medina.
In the 1980s, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United States collaborated to train Afghan militants against the Soviet Union. Saudi Arabia also supported Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program.
India’s Presence in the Gulf
He highlighted that Pakistan’s influence has historically limited India’s reach in the Gulf. Approximately 9.7 million Indians currently live in six Gulf countries. In 2024, India received $47 billion in remittances from the region.
Since Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with the Gulf, India has positioned itself as a strategic player. Stronger ties with the UAE and high-profile visits by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have strengthened India’s role. The talks included trade, counter-terrorism and maritime security issues.
Gulf Countries are Leaning towards China
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan soured in 2015 when Pakistan refused to support Saudi-led military operations in Yemen. This has led both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to change their strategic bets and increasingly engage with China rather than India.
Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, have purchased missiles and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles from China. The Chinese navy’s presence also began in Oman, which is only 2084 kilometers away from India, increasing New Delhi’s strategic concerns.
Is India Losing Ground?
Loop explained that Gulf countries still see India primarily as a regional Asian power and not as a global power. They value India for investment opportunities and regional cooperation, but view China as a global power and Pakistan as a close ally. According to him, India does not have a clear West Asia policy; China, on the other hand, focuses on trade and investment by avoiding internal turmoil.
“India, with US support, had hoped to route Europe-Gulf trade corridors through Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but the Gaza conflict disrupted these plans,” he said.
As Gulf countries strengthen their ties with China and Pakistan, initiatives such as Belt and Road will accelerate India’s European corridor goals.
Following the Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement, India immediately issued a statement reminding Saudi Arabia of India’s “sensitivity” to regional security concerns.
