Saudi–Pakistan Mutual Defence Agreement: India Says It Will Weigh Impact On National, Regional And Global Stability

India on Thursday (18 September) reacted cautiously to the signing of a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, noting that it was aware such a development had been under discussion for some time.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India would carefully examine the implications of the pact on its national security, as well as on regional and global stability.

The ministry also underlined that the government is committed to safeguarding India's national interests.

“We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan,” the MEA said in a statement.

“The Government was aware that this development, which formalizes 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 ministry said.

"The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains," it added.

Under the agreement, signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, any aggression against either country will be treated as aggression against both.

The pact builds on nearly eight decades of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, anchored in religious solidarity and shared strategic interests.

“Building on a partnership extending nearly eight decades and grounded in bonds of brotherhood, Islamic solidarity and shared strategic interests, the two sides signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” a joint statement released after the signing ceremony said.

The statement added that the pact aims to strengthen bilateral security cooperation and contribute towards peace at both regional and global levels.

“It aims to develop defence cooperation further and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. Crucially, the agreement stipulates that any aggression against one country shall be considered aggression against both,” Geo News reported.

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