The recent defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has started new discussions in India’s strategic circles. The question is that if India and Pakistan come face to face in the future, will Saudi Arabia openly support Pakistan and will the two countries be able to challenge India together?

Who ahead in military strength?

• According to the report of Global Fire Power, India has about 1.5 million soldiers, while the joint army of Pakistan and Saudi is around 9 lakhs.
• India’s defense budget is $ 79 billion. The joint budget of Pakistan-Saudi is slightly higher i.e. $ 90 billion, but India’s domestic production capacity and logistic support give it an edge.
• The Air Force has 2200 aircraft and 513 fighter jets in the Air Force, while Pakistan and Saudi have less than 1700 aircraft and 422 fighter jets.
• India has 18 submarine and 2 aircraft career in the Navy. Pakistan and Saudi together keep only 8 submarines and they do not have any aircraft career.
• India has Agni-5 (5200 km range) and 172 nuclear weapons in terms of missile and nuclear power. Pakistan has Shaheen-3 (2750 km range) and 170 nuclear weapons, but does not have the ability to firing nuclear weapons from the sea.

History is witness that Saudi Arabia provided financial and oil assistance to Pakistan, but never made direct military intervention. Pakistan got financial assistance and free oil in the 1965 and 1971 war. Saudi Arabia took a neutral stance in the 1999 Kargil War. India-Saudi relations improved in 2025 and also meditated during ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The current situation and the dilemma of Saudi

India is today the second largest trading partner in Saudi Arabia. India meets its 18% oil needs from Saudi, which costs more than $ 40 billion. His trade with Pakistan is limited to only $ 5 billion. Pakistan has been making Saudi uncomfortable by repeatedly demanding debt and discounted oil.

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