New Delhi, Sep 18: A day after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement”, India on Thursday said it will examine the implications of the pact for its national security and for regional as well as global stability.
The agreement, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh, stipulates that “any aggression against either of the two countries shall be considered as an aggression against both”, according to a joint statement issued by the two sides.
In a measured response, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had taken note of the 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,” he said.
Jaiswal added that India will “study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability.” He stressed that the government remains committed to safeguarding India’s interests and ensuring “comprehensive national security in all domains.”
The defence pact comes just over four months after a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan, raising fresh questions about strategic realignments in the region.
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