India's Measured Response As Pak-Saudi Announce Mutual Defence Pact
India has said it will study the implications of a mutual defence pact Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed yesterday, a key clause of which states that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both".
- Date & Time:
- |
- Views: 31
- |
- From: India News Bull
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's Army Chief, has accompanied Prime Minister Sharif during his visit to Saudi Arabia
New Delhi:
India has announced it will evaluate the implications of the mutual defence agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia yesterday, which notably includes a provision stating that "aggression against either nation shall be considered an aggression against both."
Offering a diplomatic response to the pact signed following Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh, India noted that this agreement essentially formalizes a relationship that has existed between the two countries for many years.
"We have observed reports regarding the strategic mutual defence pact signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The government was cognizant that this development, which officially establishes a long-standing arrangement between both nations, had been under discussion.
"We will analyze the ramifications of this development for our national security interests as well as regional and global stability. The government remains dedicated to safeguarding India's national interests and ensuring comprehensive security across all domains," stated the Ministry of External Affairs in response to media inquiries.
According to a joint statement, the Pakistan Prime Minister visited Riyadh yesterday at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their meeting took place at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. "Both sides examined the historic and strategic relations between their countries, and discussed various topics of mutual interest," the statement mentioned.
The statement indicated that the mutual defence agreement builds upon the "historic partnership spanning nearly eight decades" between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This agreement is also founded on "bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two nations," according to the statement.
"This agreement, reflecting both nations' shared commitment to enhancing their security and promoting regional and global peace, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement stipulates that aggression against either country will be considered an aggression against both," it further states. A photograph from the meeting shows Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, alongside Sharif and the Saudi Prince.
This pact holds particular significance at a time when India-Pakistan relations have deteriorated following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, bilateral engagement between New Delhi and Riyadh has seen consistent growth. India now stands as Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner.
Prime Minister Modi has made three official visits to Saudi Arabia, and in 2016, he was awarded Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honor, the King Abdulaziz Sash.