'Expect Saudi Arabia To Keep In Mind Mutual Interests': India On Pact With Pakistan

India stated on Friday that it anticipates Saudi Arabia will consider the "mutual interests and sensitivities" within their bilateral strategic partnership following Riyadh's recent strategic defense agreement with Pakistan.

The "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement" signed on Wednesday between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declares that "any aggression against either of the two countries shall be considered as an aggression against both".

"India and Saudi Arabia enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership that has significantly strengthened in recent years," stated External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during his weekly media briefing.

"We expect our strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia to continue with consideration for mutual interests and sensitivities within the framework of this partnership," he added while responding to questions about the pact.

In its preliminary response to the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia agreement on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs indicated it would take all necessary measures to safeguard national interests and ensure comprehensive security for India.

Addressing a separate inquiry regarding the potential inclusion of countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar in the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia agreement, Jaiswal emphasized that India maintains extensive relationships with both nations.

He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held discussions with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, while the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, Reem Al Hashimy, visited New Delhi for talks with foreign secretary Vikram Misri.

Jaiswal characterized India's relations with the UAE and Qatar as "expansive".

According to the joint statement on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia agreement, the new defense pact reflects the "shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security" and "aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression".

Pakistan has long been a key ally of Saudi Arabia, with the two countries maintaining a significant relationship in the defense sector.

While the United States provides the overarching security framework for Saudi Arabia, Pakistan has frequently contributed manpower and expertise to support Saudi defense capabilities.

Saudi Arabia initially signed a defense agreement with Pakistan in 1967 and later enhanced it in 1982 through a bilateral security cooperation agreement.

At one point, over 15,000 Pakistani troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia.

Sources familiar with the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia pact indicated that India was aware the agreement was under consideration.

The agreement formalizes existing understandings, particularly regarding Pakistani support to Saudi Arabia.

According to informed sources, the timeline for finalizing the pact was accelerated in response to recent Israeli attacks on Doha.