Top News

New Delhi: The security map in the Middle East seems to be changing. After Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, now Egypt is also close to joining the Mecca Defense Agreement. Analysts are calling it “Muslim NATO”. If Egypt joins, this alliance will extend from the Eastern Mediterranean to South Asia.

What is Mecca Defense Agreement?

On August 7, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a trilateral defense deal in Mecca. The biggest condition of this agreement is like Article 5 of NATO – if any one of these three countries is attacked, it will be considered an attack on all three. Meaning guarantee of collective security. Till now these three countries were doing defense cooperation, intelligence gathering and joint exercises.

Why is Egypt important?

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelati said Cairo was seriously considering joining the agreement. Only constitutional issues to defense responsibilities remain to be legally reviewed. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described Egypt as a “natural partner” and expressed hope that Egypt would join as soon as technical hurdles are resolved.

Egypt maintains the largest army in the Arab world. With his joining, this alliance will not remain just regional. It will have access to four major areas – the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and South Asia. Initially Saudi Arabia was a little hesitant about Egypt’s entry, because it could upset the diplomatic balance. But Turkiye insisted on including Egypt.

Pakistan’s role is most special

Pakistan’s position is completely different in this entire alliance. It is the only nuclear armed country which is part of this agreement. Therefore it is being considered as the “strategic center” of the alliance. The geographical location of Pakistan also makes it important.

This country, connecting South Asia and the Middle East, can help in increasing military reach to the Persian Gulf, Central Asia and the Indian Ocean. A bilateral defense agreement has already been signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025. Under it, cooperation in joint military exercises and defense production is going on.

Why is it being called ‘Islamic NATO’

Experts believe that the Mecca Agreement is the beginning of a new multi-polar system different from the US-led security system. If Egypt joins, it will become a big security block of four countries. In this, Pakistan will play a core role with nuclear power.

But at the same time there is a risk for Pakistan. Its involvement in the conflicts in the Middle East may deepen further. At present, all eyes are on Cairo’s final decision. This “Middle East NATO” will take full shape only after Egypt says yes.