Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Thursday that NATO member Turkey is actively negotiating with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to join a bilateral defense agreement established between the two nations in September 2025. The announcement signals a significant expansion of regional security cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration is pursuing a “broader, more comprehensive vision” aimed at creating an expanded strategic platform, Minister Fidan stated. This development comes against the backdrop of heightened regional instability, particularly following the intense four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025 that resulted in over 70 casualties through missile, drone, and artillery exchanges—the most severe confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999.
The existing Pakistan-Saudi defense pact, initially formed during Gulf regional tensions, has raised strategic questions within international circles. Particular attention has focused on the agreement’s potential nuclear dimensions, given Pakistan’s status as a nuclear weapons state. Both Pakistan and India have historically accused each other of supporting militant groups to destabilize their respective governments.
Saudi Arabia reportedly played a crucial mediating role in de-escalating the recent India-Pakistan conflict. The potential inclusion of Turkey, a NATO member with significant regional influence, would create a substantial tripartite defense framework that could reshape security dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia.