‘Committed to Protecting National Interests’: India on Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Pact
India on Thursday stated that it is studying the implications of a new mutual defense pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and remains committed to protecting its national interests . The “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” inked in Riyadh on Wednesday, formalizes a long-standing security relationship and declares that any aggression against one country will be considered an act of aggression against both .
In its first official reaction, India’s Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged the development. “We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.
“The Government was aware that this development, which formalizes a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration” . The ministry added, “We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability” .
The pact was signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he was received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman . A joint statement released after the signing emphasized that the agreement builds on nearly eight decades of partnership and aims to “strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression” . The move is seen by analysts as a significant step to institutionalize the close military ties between the two nations, which have historically seen Pakistan provide extensive training and military support to the Kingdom .
The timing of the agreement comes amid heightened regional tensions and a growing perception among Gulf Arab nations that the United States is becoming a less reliable security partner . While Saudi officials have stated the pact is not a reaction to any specific country or event, it has the potential to alter the strategic dynamics of the region .
The agreement also raises questions about the scope of mutual defense, with a senior Saudi official telling Reuters that the comprehensive pact includes “all military capabilities,” a statement widely interpreted as potentially extending to Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella .
