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What’s the deal with the surprise defence pact announced by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan? Earlier in September, the two raised eyebrows around the world when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif flew to Riyadh to sign the agreement with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,

formalising decades of close military cooperation.

The pact declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”, according to official releases by the two countries. While the full text is not available, it appears the two will establish permanent coordination mechanisms, including a joint military committee, intelligence-sharing arrangements and expanded training programmes.