The Indian government has said that it will carefully look at what the new strategic mutual defense deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia means for India. The pact, which has been in the works for a while, makes a security partnership official. An attack on either country would be seen as an act of “aggression against both.”
Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said that the government knew about the change. He told the journalists, “We will look into what this means for our national security and for stability in the region and around the world.” Jaiswal said again that India is still dedicated to protecting its national interests and making sure that security is strong in all areas.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia formally signed the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement.” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was there at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Press Agency said that the agreement is meant to “develop aspects of defense cooperation” and “strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
The timing of the agreement is very interesting. It comes only days after an Israeli air raid in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders. The US, which is a crucial security partner for Gulf states, called the bombing a “unilateral attack” that did not help American or Israeli interests.
The deal comes after a tense four-day war between India and Pakistan earlier this year. India’s “Operation Sindoor,” which was a response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, led to the confrontation, which included missile and drone exchanges.