ISLAMABAD: The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement provides Pakistan with greater strategic reach, diplomatic influence and a stronger role in maintaining the regional balance, according to a U.S. publication.
An analysis published by Foreign Policy in Focus said the agreement reflects the growing role of regional powers in a rapidly changing Middle East.
The publication said U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for the pact was also a sign of Pakistan’s continuing diplomatic weight in Washington. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have expressed their commitment to contributing constructively to regional security and lasting peace.
The analysis said it would be inaccurate to describe the Mecca agreement as an anti-Iran alliance. It added that growing strategic cooperation between India and Israel further highlights the agreement’s importance for Pakistan.
The pact also leaves the door open for other regional countries to join, according to the analysis. Its main strength, it said, lies not in creating a rigid alliance or bloc but in its inclusive and flexible structure.