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News India Live, Digital Desk: Pakistan’s ambitious plan, which was being called ‘Islamic NATO’ in political circles, has received a deep blow. Turkey has officially clarified that it happened between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Trilateral Defense Pact Will not be a part of. This decision of Turkey has not only dashed the hopes of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, but has also changed the regional security equations.
Why did Turkey step back? ‘Poor army’ and ‘weak economy’ became the reason
According to sources, Turkey has cited Pakistan’s internal situation as the main reason behind keeping distance from this alliance.
Pressure on Pakistan Army: Turkish defense officials believe that the Pakistani army is already under immense pressure on three fronts (terrorism, border disputes and internal instability). In such a situation, Pakistan is not in a position to take up any common defense responsibility.
Economic inequality: Turkey says that a strong economy is essential for a strong army. Saudi Arabia has the capacity to invest, while the current economic conditions of Pakistan and Türkiye are not currently conducive to such major defense modernisation.
Dream of ‘Islamic NATO’ broken: What was Shahbaz Sharif’s plan?
Pakistan had been trying for a long time to include Turkey in the security framework which was signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September last year.
Mutual Defense Clause: The draft of this agreement was similar to NATO’s ‘Article 5’, in which an attack on one country was to be considered an attack on all three.
Strategic Advantage: Shahbaz Sharif wanted that through this alliance, Pakistan should get Türkiye’s modern drone technology and Saudi Arabia’s financial backup.
Saudi Arabia’s stance: “It will remain only bilateral”
Saudi military sources have also clarified that their defense agreement with Pakistan ‘Bilateral’ Will remain the same.
Refutation of tripartite talks: Saudi Arabia has rejected media reports which claimed that the three countries are forming a joint military group.
Ankara’s priority: Türkiye wants to focus on regional cooperation and bilateral trade rather than tying itself to any new military bloc.
What does this mean for India?
India was keeping a close eye on this development. Experts believe that Türkiye’s stay out of this group is a news of relief for India. If it were to become a ‘trilateral block’, it could help Pakistan be more assertive on issues like Kashmir and project military power. Türkiye’s refusal has left Pakistan diplomatically isolated.
