Turkiye is in advanced discussions to join the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with talks likely to conclude in a deal, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The SMDA, signed in September last year, treats an attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia as an act of aggression against both, a provision comparable to Nato’s collective defence principle, the report said.

Bloomberg said negotiations were progressing, but none of the three countries, Turkiye, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia, has issued an official confirmation of the talks.

According to the report, Ankara is seeking to strengthen its defence posture through closer alignment with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as the three countries’ strategic interests increasingly overlap across South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Analysts cited in the report said Turkiye’s possible entry could affect the regional balance of power, with Saudi Arabia bringing financial strength, Pakistan contributing military manpower and strategic capabilities, and Turkiye adding combat experience and a growing defence industry.

Bloomberg added that Turkiye views the pact as a strategic hedge amid questions over US policy and uncertainty about Nato’s future role, and that an expanded alliance could lead to a new regional security alignment.

The report said Pakistan-Turkiye talks were in the final stages and that Turkiye could formally join the pact in the near future, though this has not been officially verified.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the SMDA on September 17 during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, where he and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the agreement at the Royal Court.

Senior civil and military officials from both sides attended the signing ceremony.

Weeks after the pact, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the National Assembly that several Arab and Muslim countries had expressed interest in signing similar defence agreements with Pakistan, and that the framework could expand to include more partners.

Pakistan and Turkiye already maintain close military cooperation, including naval shipbuilding projects, upgrades of Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, drone collaboration and discussions on participation in Turkiye’s Kaan fifth-generation fighter programme.

Bloomberg noted that discussions on expanding the pact follow recent regional security tensions, which have heightened interest among regional powers in collective defence arrangements.