Trump applauds new Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact as a bold regional step

On August 7 the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan formalised the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Jeddah, pledging mutual defence against armed aggression. President Donald Trump lauded the arrangement on his Truth Social platform, describing it as a "big, bold, and important first step" that brings the Middle East together. The treaty echoes NATO’s Article 5, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter to justify collective deterrence and cooperation on training, intelligence sharing and joint exercises.

While the full text has not been released, officials say it excludes any nuclear-sharing provisions. India’s external affairs ministry has said it is assessing the pact’s impact on national security and regional stability. The development has drawn attention as a potential new security bloc often dubbed an “Islamic NATO.”