A New Military Alliance: A Challenge for India

Recent reports about a potential military alliance among Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Azerbaijan have emerged as a serious concern for India. This development is not only altering the geopolitical equations of South Asia but also influencing the dynamics of Central Asia and the Gulf region. Pakistan has been actively working to strengthen its defense and diplomatic position, seeking closer ties with nations that could pose strategic challenges to India. India must not view this emerging coalition merely as a routine defense arrangement. Instead, it should be understood as part of a long-term strategic effort aimed at improving Pakistan’s international standing while exerting indirect pressure on India. In terms of foreign policy and national security, such alliances must be treated as significant challenges.

Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a historic defense agreement that treats an attack on one country as an attack on the other. The idea of this new military coalition seems inspired by that model. Although no formal agreement has yet been signed among these four nations, it is expected to be announced in the coming months. It is worth recalling that the trilateral alliance between Turkey, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan—known as the Three Brothers—has already evolved into a strong military partnership. In addition, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), founded by Saudi Arabia and comprising over forty member states, represents another power bloc. Their joint military exercises, arms deals, and shared stance on issues like Kashmir have long been matters of concern for India. Pakistan seeks to justify its provocations and misdeeds through such groupings while portraying itself as a victim of aggression.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, when India launched Operation Sindoor, most Muslim nations maintained a neutral stance. However, Turkey and Azerbaijan stood firmly with Pakistan. This alignment stems largely from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ambition to emerge as the “modern Caliph” of the Islamic world—a vision strongly supported by Pakistan. Consequently, Turkey has openly backed Pakistan’s position on Kashmir even at the United Nations. The recent defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that Pakistan is successfully expanding its regional security framework. The agreement rests on the principle that an attack on one nation will invite a joint response. This is a direct alarm for India, as it potentially grants Pakistan defense assistance, training, resources, and political support. Meanwhile, Pakistan is also strengthening its ties with Azerbaijan, the UAE, and Qatar. These growing partnerships could bring Pakistan economic and technological advantages, making it harder for India to maintain regional balance.

In these circumstances, India must reinforce and adapt its foreign policy with greater vigor and flexibility. The days when India could rely solely on traditional rivalries and narrow regional considerations are over. Today’s geopolitics is multi-layered, where economic relations, technological cooperation, and defense partnerships are deeply interconnected. India must therefore deepen its engagement with Gulf nations. Its economic and cultural ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia are already robust, but defense cooperation must also be expanded. Strengthening strategic partnerships with these countries would help India isolate Pakistan on the regional stage. Moreover, India must recognize that Pakistan is not relying solely on military might; it is also advancing its position through diplomatic maneuvers and media narratives. Hence, India must remain active not just on the defense front but also in diplomacy and information management. Its policy must be proactive, long-term, and forward-looking. India should demonstrate that it is not merely protecting its borders but also serving as a reliable guardian of regional stability and global peace.

India has led the global movement against terrorism. It should now work with friendly nations to evolve a collective security framework. Just as the United States and the European Union operate under joint defense policies, India should strengthen its cooperative networks in the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN region, and the Middle East. Such initiatives would enhance India’s standing not only militarily but also diplomatically and economically. Pakistan’s foreign policy trajectory is now clear—it seeks to encircle India, whether through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) or through defense cooperation with Middle Eastern states. To counter this encirclement, India must act simultaneously on three fronts: modernizing its defense capabilities, adopting an active foreign policy, and enhancing its positive international image.

This situation is not merely a challenge for India but also an opportunity to demonstrate its strategic foresight. If India acts decisively and early, it can neutralize Pakistan’s diplomatic moves and present South Asia as a new model of stability and cooperation. The emerging military coalition among these four nations serves as a warning for India—that religious solidarity among nations is reappearing in new geopolitical forms. To maintain regional peace and security, India must strengthen its defense capacities while remaining diplomatically assertive. For years, India has been working on multiple strategies to counter Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan—ranging from supporting their rivals to imposing economic restrictions. India’s countermeasures against Pakistan are well known. To balance Turkey’s influence, India has deepened defense ties with Greece—Turkey’s long-time adversary—and has raised the issue of Cyprus’s illegal occupation by Turkey in international forums. India has also tightened trade access for Turkish businesses.

If this military alliance becomes a reality, India must strengthen its relations with Armenia, Greece, and Cyprus, and further deepen ties with the UAE—a major trading partner that generally maintains a neutral stance on Islamic issues. Today, India must accept that “security” is no longer confined to weapons alone; it is an integrated question involving economics, diplomacy, and technology. Pakistan’s new maneuvers call not just for alertness but for awareness, agility, and strategic foresight. If India incorporates this broader perspective into its policy, this alliance will not remain a threat—it will become a catalyst for self-improvement and empowerment. By