Challenges India faces from the Mecca pact

And after many years of tensions, Ankara and Riyadh have experienced a rapid rapprochement — one spearheaded by a 2023 Turkish drones deal. With the three countries further increasing cooperation during the Iran war, recent months had produced ample buzz about an imminent new trilateral arrangement.

With each country having a strong interest in deterring Iran and Israel, there was an urgent imperative to band together. And with each country bringing something unique to the table — Pakistan’s nuclear capacities, Saudi Arabia’s oil money and wider capital, and Turkey’s arms production — comparative advantage was never going to be a problem.

But it’s also important not to overlook how the Donald Trump factor gave the three countries such a strong rationale to conclude a deal, as well.