India to Assess Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact, Reaffirms Commitment to National Security
A day after Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a formal mutual defence pact, India has responded cautiously, stating that it will “study the implications” of this new development for its own national security as well as for regional and global stability.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that New Delhi is fully committed to safeguarding India’s interests in all domains.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, underscores the intent of both nations to deepen their military partnership.
The text of the pact makes clear that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
According to statements issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Press Agency, the accord is designed to “develop aspects of defense cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
India’s Response
Responding on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian government had been “aware” that such an agreement had been under discussion for some time.
He clarified that this deal essentially formalizes a long-standing security understanding between the two countries.
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,” Jaiswal said.
Geopolitical Context
The Saudi-Pakistan pact is being widely interpreted against the backdrop of Washington’s reduced engagement in the Middle East and Israel’s recent targeted attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, which has rippled across regional geopolitics.
Analysts say the timing highlights Riyadh’s intent to reinforce its security umbrella through closer cooperation with Islamabad, even as it balances relations with other global and regional powers.
While Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have historically maintained strong military ties, the formalization of this arrangement has drawn particular attention in New Delhi.
This is because Saudi Arabia has also, over the last decade, emerged as one of India’s most important strategic and economic partners in the Gulf region, with growing cooperation in trade, energy, investment, and security.
Sensitive Timing for India
The development comes shortly after India faced cross-border terrorism in Pahalgam, which triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan. India launched Operation Sindoor as retaliation, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Notably, at the time of the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh strongly condemned the attack, signaling its solidarity with India against terrorism.
In the aftermath, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir even made an unannounced visit to New Delhi during Operation Sindoor, further reinforcing the close security dialogue between the two nations.
A Cautious Watch
For India, the challenge now lies in balancing its robust relationship with Saudi Arabia while monitoring Pakistan’s deepening defense linkages with Riyadh.
Experts suggest New Delhi will adopt a wait-and-watch approach, carefully evaluating how the pact translates into real action and what it could mean for South Asian security dynamics.
As the geopolitical chessboard in West Asia and South Asia shifts, India’s priority, officials reiterate, will remain protecting its sovereignty, securing its borders, and maintaining regional stability—even as it engages diplomatically with all key players involved.
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