‘Big, Bold, Important First Step’: Trump Welcomes Saudi-Türkiye-Pakistan Defence Pact

Last Updated:August 17, 2026, 06:55 IST

Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three.

Trump said he was “very happy” to see Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan had “recently, and finally” signed the agreement. (FIle Pic: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has welcomed the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, describing the pact as a major step towards greater regional security and self-reliance.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said he was “very happy” to see Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan had “recently, and finally” signed the agreement.

“It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way,” Trump wrote, calling the pact a “BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.”

Mecca Joint Defence Agreement

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement establishes a framework for collective defence and expanded military and security cooperation.

Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three. The agreement also envisages closer military coordination, joint exercises and cooperation in areas including defence technology and military industries.

The agreement comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns over regional security. The three countries have described the pact as defensive in nature and said it is not aimed at forming a military or sectarian bloc.

‘Important Message To The World’

Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have also committed to supporting diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflict between Iran and the United States.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Egypt could potentially join the expanding arrangement, describing Cairo’s participation as “possible” and indicating that the agreement could accommodate additional members.

“This agreement has sent an important message to the world,” Erdoğan said, referring to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.

Key Questions Answered

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Will other nations join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that Egypt could join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, describing its participation as “possible” and stating the agreement could accommodate additional members. Other potential members mentioned include Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Syria.

How might this pact change Middle East security dynamics?

The pact could reshape West Asia’s security architecture and reduce the United States’ influence in the region. It creates a collective-defence framework where an attack on one country is considered an attack on all.

What are the next steps for this new defense alliance?

The new defense alliance will establish a joint political and military mechanism, bringing together defense ministers, foreign ministers, and military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan. This framework will also expand cooperation in defense industries, potentially including joint defense production and technology sharing.

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Aanchal SinhaSub Editor

Aanchal is the Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than four years of experience in national and international news. My work involves covering breaking news, politics, current affairs and developments…Read More

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