Step Coalition Rises Amidst Mideast Tensions

The Step coalition, comprising Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan, has raised concerns for India due to its potential implications on regional security. The grouping's formation was preceded by a series of diplomatic efforts, including a 14-nation maritime coalition in the Red Sea announced by Saudi Arabia on July 30, 2026.

The US-Israeli campaign against Iran in February 2026 contributed to this realignment, with these nations repositioning themselves amidst the conflict. This shift has led to changes in their foreign policies, which were previously driven by different ideologies: Saudi post-oil modernism, Turkish neo-Ottoman assertiveness, Egyptian anti-Islamism, and Pakistani nuclear pragmatism.

The Saudi-led 'quadrilateral' now gives Riyadh indirect access to negotiations on Hormuz and ceasefire diplomacy, despite being formally excluded. This is not a theological reawakening but rather a strategic move to maintain diplomatic capital in the face of economic strain.

Meanwhile, Turkey's economy continues to struggle with annual inflation at 31.75% as of July 2026 and high interest rates. The country's foreign minister has emphasized regional ownership, suggesting a shift towards Islamic-world self-determination rather than Turkish leadership ambitions.

Egypt is an outlier in this group, as its domestic legitimacy remains tied to suppressing the Muslim Brotherhood. However, Egypt's foreign minister recently met with Turkey's Hakan Fidan, who shares ideological roots with the Brotherhood, to discuss a security deal among the four nations.