At a recent emergency summit in Doha, leaders from over 40 Muslim-majority countries gathered to discuss a joint response to Israel after its strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. While most of the meeting focused on condemning Israel and showing solidarity with Palestine, one idea stood out — the creation of a NATO-style military alliance for Muslim nations, popularly being called an “Islamic NATO.”
Pakistan was at the center of this proposal, aggressively pitching for what it called an “Arab-Islamic task force.” If such an alliance becomes a reality, it could have far-reaching implications, not just for Israel but for South Asia — especially for India. With Pakistan and Turkey playing a leading role, this development is something New Delhi cannot afford to ignore.
Pakistan’s Push for a Joint Force
Pakistan is the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, and it used this summit to position itself as a leader of the Muslim world. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar represented Pakistan at the Doha summit, co-sponsoring the proposal for a united military front.
Dar’s speech was particularly strong. He warned that the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims were expecting a “clear roadmap” from this summit and insisted that Israel should not be allowed to attack Islamic countries with impunity.
Sharif also reassured Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies that Pakistan would support them diplomatically at the UN Security Council, where Pakistan holds a non-permanent seat until 2026. This was a clear signal that Pakistan is using both military and diplomatic channels to strengthen its position as the voice of the Muslim world.
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Turkey Joins the Chorus
Turkey’s participation added weight to the idea of an Islamic NATO. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions, calling them “greedy and bloodthirsty.” While Turkey did not directly call for military retaliation, it supported the idea of coordinated economic and political pressure.
Turkey’s involvement is crucial because it is a NATO member and has military experience that could help shape the new alliance. It also has close ties with Pakistan and has supported it during past conflicts with India, even sending technicians and military hardware during the four-day mini-war earlier this year.
For India, this Turkey-Pakistan alignment is concerning, as both countries have been vocal critics of India’s policies in Kashmir. If a formal military pact comes into existence, it could give Pakistan and Turkey a stronger platform to challenge India on multiple fronts.
What an “Islamic NATO” Could Mean
The concept being discussed is similar to NATO, where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. If implemented, such an alliance could dramatically shift the power balance in the region.
Here’s a simplified look at what it might mean for India:
| Possible Development | Impact on India |
|---|---|
| Military Coordination | Pakistan could gain backing from other member states during conflicts, making military escalation riskier for India. |
| International Pressure | The alliance could raise the Kashmir issue more frequently in global forums, trying to build diplomatic pressure on India. |
| Strategic Realignment | India might deepen partnerships with the US, EU, Israel, and other allies to balance this new grouping. |
| Economic Effects | Some member nations could consider trade or investment restrictions if tensions rise, although this is unlikely because many Gulf nations rely on India’s workforce and economy. |
| Regional Security | The presence of a nuclear-armed Pakistan in a military bloc could escalate tensions and lead to an arms race in South Asia. |
Why India Is Watching Closely
India has good reason to monitor these developments. Pakistan has a history of using international platforms like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to bring up Kashmir and criticize India. A NATO-style alliance would give Islamabad yet another global stage to attack India diplomatically.
Turkey’s role adds to India’s concerns. President Erdogan has been critical of India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ankara has consistently echoed Pakistan’s position. If Turkey and Pakistan are able to push through this alliance, New Delhi may face greater strategic challenges.
India also enjoys a very close relationship with Israel, particularly in defense. It imports over $2 billion worth of Israeli weapons every year and cooperates closely in intelligence and security matters. A military bloc that is openly anti-Israel could complicate India’s balancing act between supporting Palestinian rights and maintaining its strategic partnership with Israel.
Why This Might Not Be Immediate Cause for Alarm
While the idea of an “Islamic NATO” has grabbed headlines, it is still mostly a political statement rather than a concrete plan. Many of the countries involved have different priorities and interests.
For instance, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been working on improving relations with Israel through initiatives like the Abraham Accords. They may be hesitant to join a military pact that could drag them into direct conflict with Israel.
Moreover, past attempts to form pan-Islamic military alliances have often struggled due to disagreements over leadership. Some countries may not want to see Pakistan — or Turkey — dominate such an alliance. These internal rivalries could slow down or even prevent the creation of a fully functional military bloc.
India’s Possible Response
India has several tools at its disposal to manage the situation:
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Diplomatic Outreach – Engage key Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar to ensure that the alliance does not become hostile toward India.
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Balanced Position on Israel-Palestine – Continue supporting a two-state solution while maintaining strong ties with Israel.
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Military Preparedness – Modernize armed forces and enhance intelligence-sharing with allies to deter potential threats.
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Strengthening Global Partnerships – Work more closely with partners like the US, France, and Japan to counterbalance any adverse security bloc.
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Economic Engagement – Deepen trade and investment with the Gulf region, giving countries an incentive to remain neutral.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s renewed push for an Islamic NATO is as much about gaining influence as it is about security. For Islamabad, this is an opportunity to project power, get financial and military backing from Gulf allies, and keep the Kashmir issue alive on the global stage.
For India, this is a moment to stay alert but not alarmed. The alliance is still at a very early stage and faces many hurdles before it becomes a reality. Most Gulf nations share strong economic and strategic ties with India and may not want to jeopardize them.
In the long run, India’s challenge will be to manage its relationships carefully — maintaining good ties with key Arab nations, strengthening partnerships with global powers, and staying diplomatically engaged to prevent this alliance from becoming a direct threat.
If New Delhi can strike this balance, it will be well-placed to handle any potential fallout from an “Islamic NATO” — keeping both its security interests and its global reputation intact.
