India says it will study implications of Saudi-Pakistan defence pact for national security
India on Thursday said it is closely examining the implications of the newly signed strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, while reiterating its commitment to safeguarding its national security and regional stability.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh on Wednesday by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Under the accord, an attack on either nation will be treated as an attack on both.
Responding to the development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The Government was aware that this arrangement, which formalises a long-standing understanding between the two countries, had been under consideration. We will study its implications for our national security as well as regional and global stability. The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains.”
The agreement formalises decades of security cooperation, with Pakistan training Saudi troops and participating in joint exercises since the 1960s. A joint statement by Riyadh and Islamabad described the accord as a step to enhance defence collaboration and bolster joint deterrence against aggression.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. India responded with ‘Operation Sindoor,’ striking multiple terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, leading to Pakistani counterstrikes. To build international awareness of Pakistan’s role in terrorism, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor Outreach,’ sending delegations, including one led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, to key partner countries, including Saudi Arabia.
The pact also coincides with a turbulent regional climate, following an Israeli airstrike in Doha on Sept. 9 that killed senior Hamas leaders during ceasefire talks, sparking condemnation across Arab and Islamic capitals.