TALKS of emergence of a ‘Muslim NATO’ have gained traction after the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye last week. The Mecca Pact states that an attack on one will be considered as an attack on all. Despite ambiguity in the nature and scale of assistance each will get in case of a military action, the agreement has generated considerable interest not only in the South Asian region but also in the United States and Europe.

 

The label of ‘Muslim NATO’ has changed the tripartite defence pact into an attractive headline. However, its deeper message is not in the heading but in the footnote: The Gulf countries are looking beyond America for their security. Genesis of the Mecca Pact is not in the eagerness of the Islamic countries to form a civilisational axis. It has more to do with finding alternative partners to ensure security which was heavily compromised during the Iran war. Despite the US being principal security partner of Saudi Arabia, the kingdom had to endure heavy losses due to failure of the American security apparatus. The Gulf states have been major victims of the as Tehran turned tables on the US arrogance by attacking its bases in the region. The attacks were not limited to the US bases as the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, suffered damages to critical oil infrastructure and key businesses. Despite the thaw on anvil between the US and Iran, the threat has not subsided for Riyadh with Houthi rebels still targeting its oil refineries. The Mecca Pact has come to mitigate these threats in case the US once again fails to protect its allies. The defence agreement by the Saudis with two nations having distinct military capabilities cannot be automatically interpreted as a rejection of the United States.

 

Both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have long-standing security partnerships with America. Türkiye is also a NATO member getting special attention from the US President Donald Trump. The Mecca Pact does not obliterate these relationships. It signals a strategic shift in planning, aiming to diversify security partnerships and form a hedge against American ambiguity. The Saudis have realised their security vulnerabilities during the Iran attacks and have also measured the dangers associated with Trump’s erratic policies. The pact is a message to the US that there are always other options to choose from. In fact, the Mecca Pact displays smart thinking by Saudi Arabia in forming a coalition within the Islamic firmament. Though it is still a Sunni alliance, the commentary around formation of a ‘Muslim NATO’ is enough to raise Riyadh’s stakes in the geopolitical game. The Saudis share a trade partnership with Washington and the joint defence agreement hands them a major leverage during further talks over the nuclear deal signed last month but facing uncertainty due to Trump’s conditions.

 

The significant deal is in limbo after Trump linked it with Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords for normalisation of relations with Israel. With a dark cloud over implementation of the nuclear cooperation, Riyadh has played a clever game. The Mecca Pact, in a way, has telling lessons for all the US allies. In this constantly changing geopolitical picture, controlled mostly by an unpredictable leader sitting in the White House, diversification and new alliances remain the most potent weapon for countries dependent on the US. The three signatories have shown that US’ deterrence capabilities during a military conflict cannot be counted upon. Its failure to protect partners and Trump’s unending itch to punish even close American allies with illogical tariffs and migration policies have already proved that the US cannot be a trustworthy partner. For India, the message is bold and clear — America is not your well-wisher. Though New Delhi cannot directly discard Washington due to its economic heft, business and civil interests, it can reassess its warmth by drawing lessons from the backstabbing by various US administrations spanning decades. In every crisis, in every adversity, the US has worked against India either covertly or openly. Right from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump, America has always played a calculated power game with India. From arming India’s enemies to protecting terrorists, Washington has kept looking at its own interests with total impunity. It was cold and brazen in siding with Pakistan Army’s genocide in East Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, forced restraint despite knowing well about Pakistan’s hand in 2008 terror attack in Mumbai, kept stony silence on presence of the Mumbai attack perpetrators in Pakistan, sanctioned India for nuclear tests while going soft on Pakistan, armed the enemy with F-16s right after Operation Sindoor.

 

How it harmed Indian interests during the Kargil War by manipulating GPS systems of Indian fighter jets is now in public domain through ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ web series. This has been the history between India and the US. And history does not lie. It gives a chance to draw lessons and avoid a repeat. India has already seen the perils of putting too much trust in Washington. It has embarked on diversification with a spree of trade agreements and rapprochement with China. Hedging against US unpredictability remains the only wise strategy in these times. The Mecca Pact can open new opportunities for India. With its rising defence production capabilities and proven military strength, India stands a chance to become a net security provider in West Asia. New Delhi must add military heft as a key component in India’s policy of multilateralism and multipolarity. It is time to offer a US + 1 package to the Gulf region.