Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement

Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif sign the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, committing both states to treat an act of aggression against one as aggression against both. The role of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the pact remains ambiguous — a Saudi official called it "a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means," while Pakistani officials maintained it did not include a nuclear umbrella.