With Saudi-Pakistan pact, why India must rethink power and strategy

Indrani BagchiET Bureau
Sep 20, 2025 | 11:47 IST
Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Pakistan is likely to push Saudi Arabia to pay for its weapon purchases, which will be aimed at India. So, Saudi Arabia could become a tacit supporter of Pakistan’s offensive against India

This is, indeed, the era of war. Whether we are fighting with drones and laser beams, soybeans and basmati rice, or tariffs and nuclear weapons, the world is ripe for massive conflict.

Pakistan has moved swiftly in 2025 to expand its strategic manoeuvring space, exploiting emerging gaps in global governance to maximise its relevance in the choppy waters of geopolitics. In April, Pakistan struck a crypto deal with Donald Trump’s friends-and-family enterprise, promised vast critical mineral riches, and endorsed Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. All cleverly done, and it succeeded in weaning Trump off Modi, even if temporarily.
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