The Ministry of External Affairs today said it will study the implications of the strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for India’s national security as well as for regional and global stability.
In response to media queries on reports of the signing of the pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains.
He said New Delhi was aware that this development, which formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration.
The “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh yesterday.
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Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defence agreement during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh. A key clause of this pact states that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”.
In a measured response, India has stated that this pact formalizes a long-standing arrangement between the two countries.
“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.
“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,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in response to a media query.
A joint statement said the Pakistan Prime Minister visited Riyadh on the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman yesterday. The Saudi Prince met Sharif at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. “The two sides reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, and a number of topics of common interest,” it said.
