The agreement between the three Muslim-majority countries came against the backdrop of tensions in West Asia amid conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US.

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

Pakistan says the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is purely defensive, aimed at regional peace, stability and collective security.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey signed a Nato-style mutual defence agreement in Mecca on August 7, declaring that "any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be…