On Thursday, India issued a formal response to the newly signed "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement" between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, announcing that it would thoroughly assess the pact’s implications for India’s national security as well as regional and global stability.
In a detailed statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged the formalisation of what New Delhi described as a "long-standing arrangement" between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He stressed that India would closely scrutinise the potential consequences of this agreement.
Jaiswal underscored that safeguarding India’s national security remains a top priority in light of this development. "We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The government was aware that this development, which formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration. We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability. The government remains committed to protecting India's national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains," the MEA statement read.
The MEA’s remarks were issued hours after Saudi Arabia and Pakistan formalised the "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement" during a state visit by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh on Wednesday, at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The agreement stipulates that any act of aggression against either nation will be treated as an attack on both, signalling a deepened defence partnership.
According to a joint statement released following the visit, "Building on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation between the two countries, HRH the Crown Prince and the Pakistani prime minister signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.
"The statement further elaborated, "This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. According to the agreement, any attack on one nation will be regarded as an attack on both.
Also Read: MEA confirms India relaying flood alerts to Pakistan
"This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both," the joint statement further read. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."
India’s response reflects a cautious yet proactive stance, with the MEA indicating that the government will carefully evaluate how the agreement might affect its strategic interests, particularly in light of the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region. The statement reaffirms India’s commitment to safeguarding its national security across all domains while monitoring the broader implications for stability in the region and beyond.
Also Read: Closely monitoring Nepal situation: MEA
Follow us
