In the Saudi-Pakistan defense accord, the US plays a complicated role, carefully preserving its strategic alliance with India while utilizing it as a tool of leverage. From F-15 fighter jets and Patriot missile systems to sophisticated drones, more than 70% of Saudi Arabia’s defense imports come from the United States. This guarantees that any Saudi military cooperation, including with Pakistan, requires Washington’s tacit assent. Because of this dependence, the US has strong influence over Riyadh’s military decisions and a sizable veto authority.
At the same time, India remains central to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at countering China’s regional expansion. New Delhi’s growing defence ties with the US, including advanced technology transfers and interoperability initiatives, make it highly unlikely that Washington would support Saudi–Pakistan alignments that directly undermine Indian security. Instead, the US seeks to extract benefits from the Saudi deal while preventing its escalation against India’s interests.
The United States sees an indirect advantage with Pakistan. Even though relations with Washington have been tense lately, Pakistan is still valuable as a former significant non-NATO ally. At a time when Chinese economic and strategic influence is pervasive throughout Pakistan, the Saudi-Pakistan deal may provide the US with a covert backchannel into Islamabad. Washington has options without directly re-engaging with Pakistan’s leadership by keeping this link.
Washington can still indirectly monitor and control Pakistan’s military stance by staying close to Riyadh, preventing it from completely swaying in Beijing’s favor.
Another unnoticed area of significance is energy security. The United States is dedicated to stopping Riyadh from using energy leverage in ways that destabilize supply chains, especially against India—a significant energy importer—given Saudi Arabia’s crucial role in the world’s oil markets. As a result, the agreement turns into yet another platform for the US to use its power to restrain Saudi behavior in accordance with global stability.
Saudi arms purchases are also very beneficial to the US defense industry economically, with over $3 billion in 2022 alone. Washington, one of the biggest arms exporters in the world, maintains its own industrial and employment base through these defense links with Riyadh while also positioning itself as a vital security partner in West Asia.
Sales of firearms continue to be a simple yet effective motivator. Over $3 billion worth of arms sales were made between the US and Saudi Arabia in 2022 alone, supporting US defense manufacturers and preserving a vital economic partnership. While keeping it anchored to the US supply chain, allowing Saudi Arabia to increase its military diplomacy with Pakistan reduces the likelihood that Riyadh will turn to alternatives like China or Russia.
In the end, Washington engages in what may be called a strategic double game. In order to secure arms profits and diplomatic influence, it allows a certain amount of defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, provided that it does not breach boundaries that could incite India.
In order to maintain India’s position as a counterbalance to China, the US is also investing in closer strategic ties with New Delhi. The US is able to maintain influence without permitting open conflict by using this balanced approach to sit at the center of three interconnected relationships: India’s strategic growth, Pakistan’s military dynamics, and Saudi security.