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Beyond defense: Makkah Agreement serves as a turning point, milestone in regional geopolitics

Observers note that the Makkah pact would also have impacts beyond defense, opening avenues for the economic cooperation, technological exchange, and joint development projects, as stability often paves the way for prosperity.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 09 (APP): The ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, is being hailed as a turning point and a strategic milestone in regional geopolitics with the potential to reshape the security paradigm across the Middle East and South Asia.

Formalized in the holy city of Makkah, the historic accord reflects a unified front against external aggression. Beyond establishing a strong collective deterrent, it creates a stronger partnership among the three nations in business, technology, and joint projects, bringing lasting peace and growth to the region.

The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif , Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye on August 7.

According to the agreement, any armed attack against one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all, establishing a unified deterrent against aggression.

The pact enhances collaboration across military, strategic, and technological fields, building on decades of defense ties.

Beyond defense: Makkah Agreement serves as a turning point, milestone in regional geopolitics

Leadership of the three countries had emphasized that the accord reflected a shared political will to safeguard peace and security while fostering prosperity in the wider region.

The agreement draws on longstanding ties of Islamic solidarity and shared strategic interests, reaffirming the depth of fraternal relations.

Analysts view the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement as a ‘milestone in regional geopolitics’, potentially reshaping the security landscape of the Middle East and South Asia.

By formalizing a collective defense framework, the three nations are signaling a stronger stance against any external aggression while projecting unity.

Observers note that the pact would also have impacts beyond defense, opening avenues for the economic cooperation, technological exchange, and joint development projects, as stability often paves the way for prosperity.

The official statements from the three countries hailed the signing as a ‘historic step toward a secure and prosperous future’, underscoring the shared determination of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan to confront common challenges together.

Beyond defense: Makkah Agreement serves as a turning point, milestone in regional geopolitics

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on X account posted that he was honoured to sign the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement alongside his dear brothers Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Three brotherly nations, united by faith, friendship and a shared resolve for peace and security. May this historic pact, signed in the shadow of the Haramain, remain a shield of peace for generations to come and may it bring prosperity for our three brotherly countries as well as for the Ummah.”

Beyond defense: Makkah Agreement serves as a turning point, milestone in regional geopolitics

President Erdogan on his X account said that the agreement, based on collective deterrence, would contribute to advancing security and defense cooperation, developing joint projects in the defense industry, and combating terrorism.

“The agreement, which also reaffirms the right of defense as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, targets no country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries that aim for the peace, prosperity, and stability of our region.”

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha also welcomed the signing of the “Makkah Agreement on Joint Defense” between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, describing it as a strategic step that strengthens regional and international cooperation.

He praised the accord as a fundamental pillar for supporting security and stability across the Muslim world.

Taha, in a statement, commended the leadership of the three nations for their tireless efforts in reaching this milestone, expressing hope that the agreement will help address growing security challenges and foster solidarity among OIC Member States.

He added that the pact could contribute to achieving peace and prosperity not only in the region but also for the wider international community.

“Proud of our leadership! Pakistan has earned respect and honour all across the globe. Alhamdulillah, this will bring prosperity and peace to the three brotherly nations and to the Ummah,” Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, said in a post on his X account.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Sunday, stressed that the recently signed ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’ (The Makkah Accord), was the culmination of years of coordination aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation and advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

In a post on X handle, the DPM/FM underscored that the Accord was ‘purely defensive in nature’, consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral agreements.

Dar further emphasized that the agreement was not directed against any country, but instead focused on building sustainable capabilities and fostering solidarity.

He said that the agreement remains open to other regional states willing to uphold its principles, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and a secure, prosperous future for all peoples.

https://x.com/MIshaqDar50/status/2086390289036611929

Beyond defense: Makkah Agreement serves as a turning point, milestone in regional geopolitics

Saudi Minister of Defence Khalid bin Salman, on X account, posted that the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between KSA, Pakistan, and Turkiye established a framework for a long-term defense partnership, enhancing deterrence, coordination, and integration between their countries, and contributing to regional and global security and stability.

Amb. Dr. Rayed Krimly, Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, KSA, in his post, maintained that the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement reflected the depth and longstanding nature of the strategic relations among the three countries, which had developed over several decades, and represented the culmination of detailed negotiations conducted over a number of years.

He said the agreement enables the three nations to build joint defense capabilities, enhance deterrence, and integrate military readiness to confront external threats. Under its terms, any armed attack against one of the signatories will be considered an attack against all three.

He further emphasized that the pact was defense-oriented, not an attempt to form a military axis or sectarian bloc, nor linked to nuclear ambitions or an arms race.

It complements existing bilateral and multilateral agreements and does not undermine Saudi Arabia’s strong relations with Gulf, Arab, or international partners.

The accord is framed as a stabilizing measure, aimed at strengthening cooperation, safeguarding regional security, and promoting sustainable peace without escalating tensions, he added.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, in a statement, termed ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’, as reflecting the three States’ shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future.

“The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States.”

The Kingdom of Bahrain, in a statement, welcomed the signing of the “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement” during the Joint Defense Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the formidable defense capabilities and military expertise of the three nations, noting their proven track record in serving regional security, stability, and honoring international commitments.

“Bahrain views the agreement as a strategic partnership between equal partners, driven by a shared commitment to safeguard regional and global stability while bolstering credible deterrence,” it was added.

KSA Embassy in USA hailing the pact, posted on X handle “The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan is the product of years of careful negotiation and decades of strategic ties. It commits all three nations to treat any external attack on one as an attack on all.”

It poses no threat to the security of any state in the region, nor does it supersede or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements, it was asserted.

The Ministry of Defence of the Federal Government of Somalia, in a statement, congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Turkiye, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a historic milestone in strengthening collective security, advancing defence cooperation, and building a strategic partnership capable of addressing shared security challenges.

Ashok Swain, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden, in his remarks posted on his X account said Pakistan and Turkey were in Saudi Arabia to sign a trilateral defense pact – Pakistan a nuclear power, Saudi Arabia the oil power and Turkey a NATO member.

He also bitterly criticized Modi’s foreign policies and his “stupid alliance” with the Israeli prime minister.

Ahmad Hassan Al-Arbi, an international relations scholar, viewed the Makkah accord as harbinger of a huge opportunity, a rare one.

“It should be viewed as the potential foundation of a much larger civilizational and strategic architecture,” he posted on X handle.

Rahul Shivshankar, Editorial Affairs Director CNN NEWS 18, lambasting India’s failed policies, in his remarks, said Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

“This cements a new trilateral security framework with a powerful collective-deterrence clause,” he observed.

The business community of Pakistan welcomed the strategic trilateral defence pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, describing it as a timely initiative that would reinforce collective security and send a clear message of unity against aggression, destabilisation and threats to regional peace.

In a joint statement, former Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Zahid Iqbal Chaudhry, FPCCI Regional Committee on Food Convener Shahid Imran and Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman Saif Ur Rehman said the strategic understanding would significantly strengthen defence cooperation among the three brotherly countries while promoting peace, stability and mutual security in the region.

To celebrate the major milestone pact, main landmarks and government building lit up across various cities of Pakistan to commemorate the Agreement.

LED screens were installed on major avenues in various cities, while the national flags of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye were displayed to celebrate the historic Makkah Accord.

In the Federal Capital of Islamabad, Constitution Avenue is lined with digital displays of the three flags, while government buildings, including Parliament House, were decorated with colorful lights.

While different festive events were also being organized across the country, attended by massive crowds and hailing the tripartite defence agreement among the brotherly countries.

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